Wednesday, July 13, 2011

In memory of a friend.

Every year, I wander the streets of Granada with purpose. I’m there to fulfill the needs of my non-profit project; a project that raises money to support 600 Nicaraguan school children. Along the way, I always manage to pick up my fair share of local and foreign friends. This year has been no exception.

I met a girl named Sara Deckert from the USA; she was studying Spanish at Casa Xalteva for several months. A lovely blonde haired, blue eyed girl—the Nicaraguans told me her Spanish was rather impressive. After some time, we had coffee at my favorite cafe in Granada, and we got to know each other. She, like me, was in love with Spanish. Her passion for learning every detail, every expression, and every Spanish joke gave her purpose; driving her to venture off abroad to learn it more in depth.

She also got to know my friend Dorothy who, like Sara, was living in Granada long term in order to pick up on the language and culture of Nicaragua. After I went back to Canada, Dorothy and Sara continued to spend time together—reflecting on the ups and downs of adapting to another culture. We had all planned to meet up together the next year in Granada, a reunion of sorts.

Sara is proof that taking the plunge and following your passion is a must. A few weeks after returning home from Nicaragua, she was fatally struck by a drunk driver. I can’t begin to understand the pain and extreme sadness that her family is feeling. All I know, and all I can offer, is that Sara finished her life doing something she loved—soaking up all those beautiful Spanish sounds, expanding her vocabulary. I know it made her truly happy. Rest in peace, Sara.

2 comments:

huskyhauler said...

Thank you so much for sharing your memories of our daughter, Sara. This means so much to her family.I am drinking a wonderful coffee from Guatamaula that Sara brought back for me as I type this.
Don Deckert, Sara's Padre

Dell said...

Thank you.