[stylist] Death of Division member

[cheryl echevarria]

My heart goes out to you and your family.
Sincerely,
Your sister in the NFB
Cheryl Echevarria


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From: newmanrl at cox.net
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: Death of Division member 
Date: Thu, 23 Aug 2012 08:18:52 -0500

Hey you all, here is an email from the daughter of Patricia Harman. (Some of you newer members probably have not had the pleasure of reading Patty’s work, nor had the privilege of interacting with her on STYLIST and/or visiting with her on our monthly telephone gatherings. Patty was a jewel.)  Hi Robert, This is Jennifer Harmon - Patricia Harmon's daughter. She is a member of your writer's division with NFB. I am writing to you with so much sadness in my heart. My mom - my hero, my inspiration, my best friend - passed away on July 26, 2012 in Toms River, New Jersey, due to complications from Type 1 diabetes.  I cannot believe it. I had the memorial service for her on August 11th and it was a beautiful service filled with love. It was a celebration of her life. I stood at the podium and read her poetry and essays out loud, and I know my mom was with me the entire time. I also read a special poem I wrote for her. My boyfriend and his bandmates sang John Denver and The Beatles, some of my mom's favorites.  I remember a few years ago, being on one of your conference calls for the writer's division. I believe I read my mom's piece, The Trunk, on the call and she talked about it. I loved it. Oh how she loved to hear my read her writing out loud!  My desire is to continue sharing her work, her story, our story, with the world. My dream is to publish her memoir, including her poetry and essays. Her words need no editing and there is a clear, distinct voice. I always liked to joke that I am her PR agent because she loved to write for contests and when she had a specific writing idea or subject. So many people have told me how much they long to see her work in print. I WILL make it happen. My mom and I shared so many adventures beginning when I was a little girl.  She encouraged my love of literature and reading. She showed me I could take risks and follow my dreams. We were always very close but over the last five years, since she moved to the East Coast, our bond grew even stronger.  I'm back at work in New York City, which is very surreal for me. I'm taking it one day at a time. My mom has a very moving essay called "Guts" and I read a part of it at her memorial service. It's pretty powerful stuff.  Here's the end of the essay: Here I am, making a new life for myself.  I have joined local groups, including those designed to support the blind.  I used my furniture and wall hangings to make this house my home.  I have invited new friends in.  I walk to the corner and hop a little bus for the local mall.  I located women who help me shop and pay the bills.  I do what I must do, with guts I think.  Best of all, my daughter is on the other side of the river in New York City.  Moving closer to her is the part, which demanded no guts.  We are together more often, having more fun, doing more things.  I love to visit the city, to shop and dine out.  I worked at the New Mexico School for the Visually Handicapped for thirty years, and I am proud to have earned my retirement.  Thank heavens I developed guts when I required them to get me here.  I have a new life, which provides optimism for my future.  Sometimes I hesitate when asked to participate in a new activity, but I get those guts out and try.  I remember telling my daughter and my students they would never know what they liked if they did not try it.  That includes new foods and new activities.  That also includes those of us with disabilities.  I believe in “guts.”    Thank you for listening, Robert. Please feel free to contact me if I may be of service or answer any questions. Here is the link for my mom's obituary. http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/APP/obituary.aspx?n=Patricia-Anne-Ullman-Harmon&pid=158943028#fbLoggedOut Best, Jennifer Harmon   Robert Leslie NewmanPersonal Website-Adjustment To Blindness And Visual impairmenthttp//www.thoughtprovoker.infoNFB Writers’ Division, presidenthttp://www.nfb-writers-division.net Chair of the NFB Communications Committee