Two Saturdays ago, along with about two hundred other people, had a memorial for the life of Barbara Cramer. A lot of people shared their stories which is probably the biggest reason why i went. I wanted to hear the voices of others that knew and loved Barbara. I think the most remarkable thing was this thread that wove itself into everyone’s story – when you spoke to Barb, she was there. She was genuinely there with you to listen, to talk to you and to enjoy that moment.

In other words, she was sincere. She was genuine.

There were other things; things that i didn’t know about her. She played multiple instruments and she’d earned a MFA in the time that i knew her.

But Barbara was dear to me for another reason- she was the first person that invited me to her house for the holidays. This was a few years ago before her first child was born, i believe. In what i can describe only as a rarity, i actually took her up on her offer. Unfortunately i had two slipped discs at the time which left me in excruciating pain so i wasn’t able to stay for long. But i never forgot the gesture and i never will.

I could have spoken at Barb’s Memorial but i chose not to. What i choose to do instead is this.

There was this brightness that Barbara brought into the world and into the worlds of so many whose threads wove through hers. Whether it’s my family members or my friends who are no longer among the living, i have an obligation to them – to carry their voices in mine; to carry their brightness when they are no longer able to in my words and in my actions.

I did not know Barbara Cramer as well as i wish i did but for my measure, i will carry what i can of her brightness and of her kindness…

Until i am no more.