Sara's 31st

I've been thinking about Sara a lot in the run up to Hallowe'en. It is my sister's birthday as well and I have always been in awe of how Halloween babies manage to make their birthday's the longest lasting and best celebrations of the year!

I was recently looking at pictures and remembering Eden Fest...a festival that Sara, Melissa, Cat, Mandy and I went to back in high school. It was a camping event that we were all looking forward to. I was super excited about seeing the Cure and Sara was looking forward to the Tragically Hip, who were closing on one the nights. I made no bones about dissing the hip... who were not on my list of favourites... and Sara, in her straightforward way, told me that the only reason I didn't like them was because they were too popular and basically to relax and enjoy them with an unbiased opinion. I had my serious doubts, but was going to watch them anyway.

The weekend was full of good times...camping, sun bathing, juggling and a drink or two. As luck (or my poor judgment) would have it, by the time night arrived and the Cure came on I had fallen asleep sitting in the middle of the field and missed the entire set. BUT, I was woken up just in time for the Hip to come on...to the most amazing energy and a field full of cheering people waving glow in the dark necklaces... us included. It was so much fun! I left the festival a reluctant Hip convert....Sara had been completely right. I actually did like them but was too 'cool' to admit it. Now, every time I hear them come on the radio I think of how Sara unwittingly taught me something about myself. It was such a small thing and sounds like something of no real consequence, but it sparked this little tiny seed in my mind that wouldn't fully develop for another few years. That seed was that if I don't pre-judge and if I go into every situation with an open mind I'll get more out of my experiences. This is something that Sara actually practiced herself and I think it's the key to why she was so full of life. She was always open and welcoming of people, situations, and new experiences. She was up for anything that life brought her way and appreciated people for who they were. This is a big part of what made her sparkle and the reason that she made such a mark and touched so many people. And she did this all without knowing. When I look at her family, it's not hard to see why. Her parents have that same open and welcoming nature. It is clearly a gift that can be passed on and I hope that I hone it in the coming years and pass that little bit of Sara on to any children I might have. She may not be physically on this earth but Sara is certainly here, imprinted in different ways on every person who ever knew her.

Andrea O