Cameron's Message

Hello all,

My beloved Rachel passed away on Sunday morning (Easter), at 2:20 a.m. I was with her at the end, and she couldn’t have passed more peacefully and comfortably. The love and support I have felt from so many over this past week, coming to our Wedding (last Monday), bringing food, cooking and cleaning for us, sending flowers and well-wishes, doing my marking for me, or just visiting, has left me with an enormous sense of gratitude. I can never thank-you enough for giving me the time I needed to begin to process—a process sure to continue. But for now you should know how much you all—the well over 100 people who came to our house, and the 100s more who would have liked to come (but were with us in spirit, I know)—have helped me through this time. I absolutely know, however, that this was all about Rachel, and your support was entirely a testament to the person whom we all love so dearly. I know that Rachel would have wanted me to extend her warmest thanks and appreciation for all you have done for us. She was well aware of what was happening, right to the very last day as she extended a “welcome” to the Tibetan Monks who came to visit us, and fill our house with the most resonant chant you can imagine.

Now, I have a few plans that I wish to share with you. As of today, the house is quiet. Dash has gone to his grandmother’s. I plan to decompress for a few days and then head down to the coast later in the week for a small family memorial next weekend (in Mission). But what I wanted to say was that we are planning for a public memorial, hopefully on TRU campus (in the Great Hall), for some time on the weekend of May 14-15. I want you all to know that you and your families are sincerely welcome to attend this event; that is, we would like you all to come and share in a celebration of Rachel’s life. There will be a memorial service of about an hour, lots of food, lots of stories, lots of mingling. The emphasis will be on making connections with one another, and, of course, healing. More details to follow. Please note: There will be obituaries in the coming days in the Kamloops Daily News, Vancouver Sun, and Globe and Mail.

But finally what I would like to do at this time is make a small request: We have decided to make a book for Dash—a book that we will fill with stories, pictures, art, whatever, from all the people who knew and loved Rachel, or who were in some way touched by her life. My sincere request to you now is that you take some time over the coming days and reflect on your connection with Rachel. Prepare something, write or create something, of whatever length or style you wish, and bring it to the memorial, or—if you cannot attend—please send it to me over email (creid@tru.ca), or whatever. Please understand that I am extending this invitation to be part of this book to everyone, far and wide. This will not be a personal, family document, but rather an edited volume that we will assemble and make available to anyone who wishes a copy. Rachel’s reach in life was enormous, from colleagues, to friends (literally all over the world), to family and extended family, on and on, and we want, this summer, to create a professionally-prepared volume—the ‘book of Rachel,’ if you will—to give to as many people as would like. The volume should cover everything from the humorous and absurd to the heartfelt, and everything in between. Again, this is a book for everyone who loved Rachel to tell their stories—a book that Dash and I (and I know many others) will cherish for the rest of our lives. So I am sincerely asking you all to participate. Don’t think that your words and thoughts are unimportant at this time, or less important than anyone else’s. I assure you, they are not. Submissions can be anonymous, if you wish, and names omitted, unless related to the stories told. I am very happy, though, to make mention of those who knew and loved Rachel. So again, whatever you deem fit to bring to this work, I want to see it. You have absolute free-reign, and I trust your judgment.

My plan, then, is to take some time off work this summer, to travel a bit, and figure out what’s next. My communications will be sporadic, but know that I am buoyed by your love and support. And please pass this email onto whomever might not have received it. I thank you from the bottom of my heart for everything you have done for us. Please know that Dash and I will be ok. Peace and Love.

Cameron.