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In the Present Moment – A Meditation for Jocelyne and
Jerzy
When a tragedy of this magnitude happens, we often try to hide
behind the safety of our own private belief systems in hope
of finding some sort of comfort or, maybe, to be able to
make some sense out of what has happened. Many of us soon
discover that there is no "hiding place"; there
is no real comfort to be found and we will never be able
to make sense out of these deaths. There is no satisfactory
answer to the question, "why"?
For those of us who know Jocelyne and Jerzy, this is a time
to cry...a time to remember...and a time to cry some more.
There is, however, a very important personal lesson to be learned
from the painful experience of losing someone we care about
without warning...without time to prepare...without time to
say good-bye.
This lesson is illustrated by a Russian children’s story...but
these truths are to be found in every culture. The story goes
something like this:
A man searches for the answers to three questions–
1. What is the most important moment in life?
2. What is the most important action in life?
3. Who is the most important person?
The man asks the wise and the learned, but no one seems to
be able answer his questions.... As it would happen, a child
overhears him asking the questions and to the man’s amazement,
the child tells him that the answers have been right in front
of him the entire time.. The child tells the man that--
– the "present" is the most important moment in life...the
past is gone and the future is not yet here
– the most important action in the present is to "love"
– the most important person is the one you love or
care about
So...what does this mean for us?
Jocelyne, Jerzy, and their daughter all went their own ways
that fateful morning without knowing that they would never
again be all together...what did they say to one another
as each of them left the house?
We must make sure that the people we love and care about know
how we feel about them now...in the present moment!!! Don’t
wait until tomorrow...it may never come. Take every opportunity
to tell them that you love them while you can!!!
– Don’t let your spouse or partner go off in the morning without
expressing the love-bond between the two of you.
– Don’t send your children off to school without telling them how
much you love them.
– While speaking with your parents, grandparents, or grandchildren in
person or on the telephone, make sure they know that they are loved.
– And be sure to tell your friends how much they mean to you and that
you care.
Why should it be... that the true value of the present moment
is all too often realized only when we are mindful of death?
Dr. A. Randall Olson
REMEMBERING JOCELYNE COUTURE-NOWAK
Good afternoon.
The last several days have been shocking, in fact surreal,
as we watched the tragedy at Virginia Polytechnic Institute
and State University unfold. Then as we learned more of the
details it has became increasingly sadder because it has touched
so close to home.
On behalf of the government of Nova Scotia I want to offer
our deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues
of Jocelyne Couture-Nowak.
I did not know Mrs. Couture-Nowak personally however I have
learned a lot about her and her family over the last few days.
Nova Scotia has certainly suffered a loss.
I have learned that she was a wonderful mother, wife, teacher,
mentor, friend and colleague.
Today we gather together to remember Jocelyne Couture-Nowak
and the positive impact she had on those who were lucky enough
to know her and those of us who are just learning of her accomplishments
now.
We were also relieved to learn that the three NSAC students,
two from Nova Scotia and one from Prince Edward Island, who
are currently at Virginia Tech as part of an exchange program,
are safe and will soon be returning home.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Nowak family at this
terrible time, and with the families of the many victims.
For many the healing process will take a lot of time.
It is important to remember that people are hurting and as
a community we need to be there to help one another. From what
I have learned of Jocelyne I think she would agree.
Thank you.
Minister Brook Taylor
There are times in life when tragedy grips our hearts, personally
and collectively, in deep anguish and pain. Such is the tragic
death of Jocelyne Couture-Nowak in Blacksburg, Virginia last
Monday. Although I cannot claim her as a close friend in my
case, I do not recall a tragedy which has touched me more deeply
than Jocelyne’s untimely death this week. My heart goes
out in sympathy to Jerzy and their family, and to all those
who counted Jocelyne among their close friends. One could not
know Jocelyne, even on a casual basis, without being moved
by her charm and warmth and intelligence. As others have observed,
she had a passion for her language and culture, for education
and youth and, I believe, for all people. She was dedicated
to making the world a better place and in her short life, has
done so. I give thanks for having known her and join with you
in celebrating what she has done for the world.
Sincerely,
Garth Coffin
Planting Gardens - Peter Sanger
Kim Dale remarks
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