Anoopa Sharma

I attended the memorial service yesterday and found it very moving. I was not able to stay until the very end as I had to catch a flight. The service began with a slide show of pictures of Anoopa, in chronological order projected onto a screen and played along with music. The chanting portion of the service followed with Uttama providing the translation. Next, several of Anoopa's friends read various pieces of her writing. I was honored to get to read something that she had written on self-knowledge and self-acceptance titled "All Things in Moderation". One of the most moving readings to me was when Michael Kraemer's young son (I think?) read Anoopa's piece on "Practicing Childishness". It was very appropriate and great to hear it read by him. After the readings, people were invited to come to the front with memories, comments, thoughts, etc. This for me was the best part. It was amazing to hear from so many people who held various perspectives, pieces, and times from Anoopa's life.

The service was very moving and appropriate. After the service there was a gathering at Asha Singh's house (my mother-in-law). There was good food, tears and lots of laughs. My wife and I reflected on how much Anoopa would have loved to have been at this gathering. It was "her kind of crowd".

On a personal note, I met a lot of wonderful, special people yesterday. Some of you I met for probably the only time in our lives, but I will never forget you. The quality of the people whom Anoopa had befriended is again a testimony to her personality and character.

Drury

Anoopa's memorial service was a powerful experience for me.

It was my first time to attend a memorial for a close friend. It was my first time in a Hindu temple. It was my first time to meet Anoopa's parents, sister, extended family, and the majority of her friends.

It was my first time to hear that Anoopa was once shy. It was my first time to understand why Anoopa loved African dance - and to see a video of her dancing. It was my first time to realize how much traveling she had done - and to meet somebody from her travels.

The memorial helped me in many ways.

It was the first time I felt comfortable talking about Anoopa and smiling. It was the first time I could thank, in person, everyone for visiting, contributing to, and sharing Anoopa's web site throughout the world. And it was the first time I felt a sense of joy for Anoopa's incredible spirit.