SARAH’S STORY
By Kathy Nimmer

I know a dancer
Whose gentle, sweeping moves make untold tales come alive
Through the limbs that stretch to the sky and swing outward again,
Dipping, spinning, flying, painting a picture of loveliness,
Grace personified, beauty breathing deeply:
I know a dancer.

I know an animal-lover
Whose affection for her sweet Maggie rings through the even sweeter caresses
Showered upon a willing substitute who wags and nudges with recognition
Of someone who loves, who cares, someone who shows her humanity
By reaching out to four-legged pals who wriggle in loving gratitude:
I know an animal-lover.

I know an athlete
Whose energy and vigor for life propel her through fiery afternoons
Of heat and strain and exhaustion, ever pressing forward, not looking back
Onward and upward to when, lungs bursting and muscles screaming,
She trumpets a whoop of victory:
I know an athlete.

I know a student
Whose mind is a well of deep thought, hoping to fill itself with the life
Of knowledge and exploration, constantly reaching out for more,
Observing, considering, evaluating, accepting, until the well is made even deeper
And will never be filled enough for her satisfaction:
I know a student.

I know a daughter
Whose loving kindness is the spark in the hearts of two incredible parents
Who would cry the tears and sigh the sighs of their bright angel—if they could,
And when they speak of her, the glow that is their life force
Spills out in puddles of light onto everyone who hears of their little girl:
I know a daughter.

I know a mentor
Whose consideration and guiding hands open up possibilities to the young
Who search for the right path to take, and when they see the example of excellence
There in the shadows beside their own spotlight, they can’t help but smile
As they know they have an unspeakable gift, a treasure:
I know a mentor.

I know a friend
Whose words of openness enable others to speak with openness too
As they pour out their own woes while she listens with an empathetic ear,
Not considering that her own heavy load might outweigh that of which she now hears,
So she listens onward and shifts her own burden to make room for theirs too:
I know a friend.

I know a young woman
Whose heart, attitude, talent, and soul
Spoke to a stranger hundreds of miles away, hundreds of days ago,
Saying, “I believe in goodness, in hope,”
Adding, “I am defined by goodness, by hope,”
Finishing, “You be so defined too, please,”
And the listening stranger agreed and took in a deep breath
As she reached for the harness handle of the aging guide dog by her side,
Replying, “You inspire me; thank you”:
I know a young woman.

I know a hero
Whose heart was crushed, whose dreams suddenly seemed lost,
Whose confidence was tested, whose path became uncertain,
And then, one slivered shard at a time,
They reassembled the magnificent spirit,
The countless souls touched by her generosity,
And slowly, steadily, surely,
Her heart, dreams, confidence, path—
They took on power again, sparkling with a golden essence
Shimmering in goodness, in hope
That a dancer and animal lover and athlete
And student and daughter and mentor
And friend and young woman and hero
Would again hear her own message of belief and goodness and hope
Would again see the masterpiece in its wholeness, a beautiful, perfect picture,
Matted and framed and signed by love:
I knew—and still know—a hero.