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In Loving Memory (May 27, 2002)
Dearest Sally, Tina forwarded your message to me this morning and I want you to know that I was deeply moved by the words you and others have chosen to honor Kent. I am proud to have known such a wonderful and inspiring man and his strong and understanding wife. As a Jodo Shinsu Buddhist we try to live life in arigatai (gratitude) The Japanese word arigatai literally means "it is indeed very hard and unusual for this to happen." To me Kent truly understood the meaning of arigatai and lived his life in grateful surprise ! To be really arigatai requires the wisdom of experience that Kent had and others seek. In Gassho Mark Thrift No greater tribute can be than those wonderful things said by family and
friends after you've passed on--thank you so much for sharing those words spoken
on Kent's behalf, I'm getting to know him again better and better. (So sorry
now, that I didn't make the reunion--It was my husband's birthday and didn't
want to leave him. In retrospect, he would have felt fine with the going's on as
I did receive the video (produced by Kent) and felt that I on some level was
present.) I am thankful to read what you and others have said but it's mostly
your strong spirit that inspires me. I know you must be heart broken, as you
said, but will pull together (in Kent's memory) to finish all that you started
together.. That will be how you honor him over the years. My heart goes out to
you and to your family, so sorry I didn't re-meet Kent. I think of the
verses--"he fought the good fight, he finished the race" Love, Sally, tenderest thoughts of Kent---and you---swirl nonstop in my mind. My initial disbelief at learning of Kent's passing has begun to give way to
a deeper realization of just how much I---we all---have lost. Your message of tribute to Kent touched us deeply, Sally. The love and
friendship that you and Kent had is almost too special for words yet you
captured the essence very well. As special as Ramesh and I consider our own
relationship to be, Kent's connection with you long ago elevated our
definition of "soul-mate" to a whole new plane. I weep for your
great loss, Sally. And for our own. Kent will live on forever in my heart and mind. How I adored that man...for
his remarkable sense of caring ...for his heartfelt bear hugs ...for his deep
and boundless love of life itself. He was a most uncommon man and we were
privileged to share in his special magic. My attempts to do good in life will
forever be inspired by Kent's example. Today I saw Ramesh off on an open-ended stay in Bombay to attend to his
ailing mother. I particularly hated to see him travel there while we're
grieving Kent's loss. And this is a frightening time to be in India due to
current political unrest. May this prove to be limited strictly to sabre
rattling between India and Pakistan. With love and deepest caring, --Nancy Sawhney & Union Dear Sweet Sally, I don't even know where to begin, or what to say... I am so shocked and stunned to hear of Kent's passing... My heart goes out to you... (and of course to Ashelby too) Kent truly was a "Prince of a Man", as we all have known since the very first time of ever meeting him. He will be greatly missed, in so many ways, by all of us who knew and loved him. I can honestly say that I have never met a man as truly wonderful, warm, loving, compassionate, kind, optimistic, sincere, generous, honest, and willing to help anyone, as Kent was. I'm just shattered, as I am absolutely sure you are, even more so!!!!!!! Sally, if there is anything I can do to help you, please let me know. I don't even begin to know what that could be, but I am here for you and Ashelby too. Dear Sweet Sally... I Love You, and I am sending all of the Strongest Healing Love and Light I can possibly pray for, to you... Be Well... Love, Deb Noel and Sheeva
This memorial site will be expanding. If you would like to send something to share, please click this link. He meant a lot to a lot of people, probably more than any of us can realize. Photos are a welcome addition. In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent in Kent's memory to Canine Companions for Independence or Pleasant Grove Community Church, his 2 favorite charities.
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