In loving memory of Radhia A. Jaaber

? Woman ? Sister ? Activist ? Humanitarian ? Poet ? Mother ? Daughter ?

Radhia A. Jaaber

March 6, 1953 - August 17, 2006

Sparkelets

We are shining women placed in a sea of gleam that glows for today.  Arriving at a refinished stage of experiences and knowing that the time has come to transform our being.  We are glittering resources for ourselves and others.  As we sparkle in our new time we feel good about our radiance, because we reflect each other.  Take this time to buff your radiant glow, if it is fading at all.  Gather with other sparkelets and borrow their shine.  Women of sparkle are always ready to give a warm welcome.  We belong to a tribal community of splendor.  Rest in your newfound glow, it is so becoming. 

"You must be in love?"  "Why, yes I am.  I discovered a small flicker of hope inside of me.  It was barely working, but I called on ancient wonders of giving and my sparkle is now full of more."

Come sisters of the sand that sparkle, be with your self, be with others, rise to your self-made glow --         it looks good on you.

-Radhia Jaaber (A Familiar Renaissance, 1998)

Radhia Jaaber passed on today. For those of us who had the honor of working and being with her it is a very sad day. It was always hard to be in Radhia's presence and not to experience the world through her…when she walked into a room, that room was a better place.  She never lost her role as a teacher…she never lost her dignity even in the midst of ignorance and hatred. When giving talks she would make up words and we found them to be more meaningful than ones others had used before her.
 
She made a life for her children and for herself that defied all of the obstacles an unfair world can impose on a mother. Like everything she created, her children have her spirit inside of them. Her physical beauty, her generous heart, her refusal to be dumped on, her grace, her ability to take people in, her creative talents, her gift of poetry are all with us in these three remarkable young people.
 
Our lives are enhanced by the privilege of being with her and near her…

for the rest of our lives we will miss her.

-Ellen Pence, August 17, 2006

Thank you, Radhia, for impacting our lives so profoundly, for blessing us so gracefully, and for sparkling enough for us all.