Since many of my friends subscribe to this blog (or perhaps I should say all subscribers are by definition friends), I thought I should let you know why I'm taking some time off from posting. My wife of nearly 31 years, Sandra Haarsager (the picture of her on a jet ski was taken September 20 in Labadee, Haiti), died last Saturday after a short bout with an aggressive pneumonia that was itself a complication of a 2½-year bout with cancer. In my last post six days ago, I said that we were writing a book together. It would have been her third and two others were in various stages of completion.
Sandra was an amazing woman, accomplished in journalism, administration, academia (she was a "full bird" professor), music and -- not the least -- motherhood. In spite of a stage 4 cancer diagnosis in the spring of 2005, she pretty much carried on the same ambitious schedule she always had, though she did give up her college's associate dean job to go back to teaching full time. On that occasion, Dan Bukvich, a talented University of Idaho music faculty colleague and friend composed and framed a piece using the letters of her name and the letters of words that he felt (accurately) described her. These words were Astute, Calm, Insightful, Understanding, Kind and Professional. To those, I would add Intrepid.
Update 18 Oct. 2007:
We held a memorial service for Sandra at the University of Idaho a week ag0. Some 400 people attended. The music was amazing. The tributes were touching. Those who attended will never forget it. Or her. The Argonaut newspaper at the university carried a story about it here. Thanks to the many, many of you who via email or in comments below or who sent cards conveyed your friendship in this time. --Dennis
Your love for your wife shines through onto my screen.
You both sound intrepid and talented and loving.
yes, we are your friends and admirers. Thank you for sharing this news with us. Deepest sympathies....
warmly
Kare
In a civilization when love is
gone we turn to justice and when
justice is gone we turn to power
and when power is gone we
turn to violence.
~
Remember the many
compartments of the heart,
the seed of what is
possible. So much of who
we are is defined by
the places we hold for each
other. For it is not our ingenuity
that sets us apart, but our
capacity for love, the
possibility our way will
be lit by grace. Our hearts
prisms, chiseling out the
colors of pure light.
Posted by: Kare Anderson | Friday, 12 October 2007 at 20:28
Dennis -- I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss. My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to you and your children during this difficult time. Cindy Johanson
Posted by: Cindy | Friday, 12 October 2007 at 17:09