Strange Ticket

Sarah Memorial: Stuff That Was Said (Kevin)

2008-12-14T12:09:00.000-08:00

Loving Family and Friends,

I'll try to post everyone's word that spoke at Sarah's memorial. Here's what I tried to choke out:

Sarah

Likes and other cherished things:

Giving and receiving love (of ALL kinds)
Beauty
Shared happiness
Mind-blowing, body-invigorating, soul-nourishing, spirit-uplifting love making.
Togetherness
Spiritual closeness to friends when physically close or distant
Children
Artistic expression
Perseverance
Freedom
Travel
Laughter

I have experienced stronger love and have had more good times with Sarah than I
thought were possible.

Her beautiful, voluptuous body physically contained and was soulfully within an intensely
powerful, compassionate heart.

She was the most completely selfless person I've ever known.

Sarah made herself available to lend expertise, skill, friendship and love to anyone
capable of receiving it, regardless of physical constraints like space, time or money.

A hug and kiss from Sarah could penetrate any form of anger, frustration or sadness
and would leave you feeling that was the best hug and kiss I've ever had! I think my
life has suddenly and completely changed.

Sarah has left the physical space that we remain in but she is now closer to us than ever
because her spirit is available to all of us.

There are no longer any logistical complications.

She is now completely free to love without limits.

After her last breath she shot out. I could feel it strongly and the clouds opened amidst
an otherwise gray, dreary sky.

If you feel far away from her and can only grieve the loss, you can realize it is only an
illusion. Sarah has transformed. You can be closer to her now by being closer to
yourself. By integrating her spirit into your life. She is now completely unbound and
will always be there.

I was so warmed by everyone's love.
Thank-you!
Love
-Kevin

Memorial Gathering for Sarah

2008-12-07T10:17:00.000-08:00

Hello Everyone

A memorial gathering has been planned for Sarah:
When - 12/13/08, 1:00 pm
Where - Montlake Community Center http://www.seattle.gov/parks/centers/Montlake/directions.htm

We will also have a less formal, party at Sarah, Kevin and Miranda's house when we figure out the best date. I promise it will be on a weekend or holiday (maybe combine it with Kumlafest :) Details on that will follow soon.

Sarah's last time here (October 1966 - December 2 2008, 10:30 a.m.)

2008-12-03T07:32:00.000-08:00

Sarah is at home, in a hospital bed, eyes closed and snoring. I wish she was just sleeping but know she is likely not. She just cannot do anything else. She has not been able to speak since early November if not earlier. It is clearly time for her to go. Her mother (Astrid) and sisters (Lisa and Kari) have been doing an amazing job of caring for her while they deal with their own grief and lack of sleep. The main focus now is relieving Sarah from suffering. I am very sorry for not sending more information about her but have been completely occupied with helping her as much as I can up to the last few days. Now I am just trying to stay out of the way as I cannot reliably help in any physical way because of my constant lack of balance, etc. The last thing needed is to have to take Kevin to the E.R. now in response to a fall or, worse yet, I fall on Sarah and give her more to deal with. I ask now that everyone focus their thoughts, prayers, energy on Sarah moving as comfortably as possible into the spirit world where she can be free. We have all been dealing with the emminence of losing Sarah for some time now while maintaining belief that she can persevere. She has done so in her usual amazing fashion for eight years now since her first brain tumor diagnosis in 2000. Since then she has undergone two brain surgeries, two chemotherapy rounds, and radiation treatment. We are so thankful for all the love that has been sent to her over these years, and beyond. I think it has truly made her stronger and able to endure as well as she has. Giving and receiving love and compassion has always been what stands out most about Sarah for as long as I have known her. Her sister, Lisa, told me yesterday that has always been the way she is. I have learned so much from her and have received so much love and support that it is truly amazing - only wonderful. At this point we ask for no visitations or flowers. We live in a very small house and it is too hard to give Sarah the attention she needs now while their are more bodies in the house. The best way to connect with Sarah now is spiritually. I feel strongly that she is has been traveling to that realm for some time now but her physical existence remains and it is our focus to relieve her of as much suffering as possible. I asked her a couple months ago if she would want to be euthanized if she had no chance of surviving. She, without hesitation, said "oh ya!". Unfortunately, we live in a state that does not allow this and can only hope we can get enough morphine to ease her suffering.

I am very sorry to have to say this to you now but this is Sarah's time to physically leave us.

After I wrote that last sentence I went down to see how Astrid, Lisa, and Sarah are doing. I could hear Sarah's loud, gurgly breaths starting to slow and I thought "Oh good, that last dose of morephine must be kicking in". Those were her last breaths and she died with her mother, two sisters, and me at her side. It was very beautiful and as, I believe, she wanted it. Sarah died at 10:25 today (12/3). I will try to arrange a memorial here at our house with friends and family. Her sister, Lisa, went up to Western Washington U. in Bellingham to get Miranda. The coronary team (?) is on its way to get her body and cremate it as Sarah has wished. It is intensely sad, yes, but also a huge relief that Sarah's suffering has ended. She is with all of us now and when you wish hard that you could be with her just feel in your own heart and there she will be. During a very gray and gloomy day the sun has managed to make w hole in the clouds and shine on us. That was Sarah's doing, I know. Please give us this day to see her off and take care of immediate formalities then, please, stop by and share with us if you can. You will want to call first as we may be in and out.

We love all of you :)

-Kevin

Hi

2008-11-08T13:50:00.000-08:00

I am hearing that many of you, if not all, want to connect with me - badly. I understand and feel like you are connected with me always and have been via all the wonderful things you've shared with me. Whatever you send via email or this blog is read to me. Keep it up!

2008-11-01T19:55:00.000-07:00

Hi Beautiful People,

I had so much fun reading the message from my childhood friend Mary. She reminded me of some of the wonderful and--okay--terrible things that we did as kids. It put a smile on a lot of faces here at my house. In a way, I was glad she didn't post some of the more delicious stuff on the blog site...but I guess it would be okay! This is no time for secrets, so say what you're thinking and feeling. It's cool.

Love,
Sarah

My Beautiful Art

2008-10-29T19:50:00.000-07:00

2008-10-29T16:57:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Life is like a river...sometimes smooth and sometimes rough. Today I'm on the rough side. I've reached the rapids and need you in my boat. You've always been there, but I'm calling on you to help me paddle. Enough euphemisms - my tumor is growing and there are no Western therapies that my doctors can give me. Suck. We're looking at some other options, such as naturopathy, that may slow or reverse the growth of the tumor.

I would love to hear from you. Email is the best. Talking on the phone is more one-way than I would like because words don't always come out of my mouth like they are in my head. Someone can read me your lovely, kind words and I will recall your voice.

Please pick up pebbles - from a river, from a nursery, from a gravel path - and love them and think of me. I need your positive and powerful energy.

Love and xoxoxo,
Sarah

2008-10-25T15:19:00.000-07:00

2008-10-25T15:16:00.000-07:00

2008-10-25T14:58:00.000-07:00

Welcome

2000-01-01T08:30:00.000-08:00

Sarah Hedman holds a very strange ticket indeed. This blog will help keep those that are supporting her journey as a peculiarly talented artist, wonderfully loving person, family member and friend informed of her condition and of what she currently needs (e.g. groceries and various sundry items). As you likely already know, Sarah has been dealing with what is now a highly malignant brain tumor. Conventional medicine has done wonders for her but has been unable to stop her cancer and has, for the time being, thrown in the towel. She is now in the process of fully engaging various forms of natural medicine such as naturopathy, homeopathy, mind/body/spirit integration, etc. In addition to helping Sarah you get the opportunity to see photos of her spectacular art. Stay tuned...