STORYTIME TAPESTRY

The Newsletter devoted to spreading love and cultural awareness throughout the world

Special Treat ??“ Sherri Hosieni

June 5, 2005

Hi, Carol.  Here is a short piece I wrote in memory of my dad.  The first anniversary of his death is Monday, May 16.  I am filled with so many thoughts of him at this time, and quite a bit of sadness.  Writing something in his memory seemed to comfort me greatly.  --Sherri

Otter Magic

In Memory of my Father

March 1, 1941 to May 16, 2004

By Sherri Hosieni

Sherri_AH@msn.com

A small, round, furry, brown head, with piercing black eyes broke the surface of the water.  Seeming to smile, the creature beckoned me closer.  ???Dad, what is that???? I asked.

???It??™s a river otter, Sherri,??? he answered in a whisper.

Fiery pink reflections of the setting sun danced on the sparkling deep water of the Columbia River.  The otter disappeared only to emerge once again closer to the shore.

I held Dad??™s large hand as we carefully walked toward the river??™s edge.  It was deeply bronzed from the heat of the sun and roughly calloused by years of farm labor; yet it was the kindest hand a twelve year old girl could ever hold.

???Hello there little fellow,??? Dad said gently.  ???It looks like you want to play.???

We removed our shoes and walked into the water, wearing old cutoff jeans and short sleeved t-shirts.  The otter playfully swam between us, circling, diving, and splashing.  Dad plunged beneath the water, imitating our new found friend.  My eyes were captivated by the ballet of man and creature unfolding before me.  I swam out and joined the dance.  We dived, splashed, laughed and played until the stars filled the velvety night sky.

The otter swam off.  Dad and I made our way to shore.  I picked up a tiny fresh water clam shell in the sand, which now, some thirty years later, I look at to recapture the magic of a day long ago.

Dad died last year, on May 16, 2004, at the age of 63.  I sat by his bedside, holding his large hand, night and day for four days, until he journeyed with the angels, abandoning his weary, damaged body and refreshing the beauty of his everlasting soul.  We talked until his last breath, recalling a life well lived, hard work accomplished, starry nights, sweet music, and yes, the time we swam with the otter.

Here is a short bio:

Sherri lives Utah.  She has a degree in Political Science and worked for several years in city government in Seattle, Washington.  She is greatly inspired and motivated by people from all religious traditions and ethnic backgrounds, who follow their dreams, build bridges of hope to each other, live their best lives and make the tapestry of our complicated world a better place.