[stylist] Death of Division member

[Kerry Thompson]

Robert,

I did  not know Patricia Harmon well. But, I remember her on the phone 
gatherings as a pleasant, optimistic lady. I also remember very clearly 
when she and her daughter were on together. She will certainly be missed.

Kerry

On 8/23/2012 9:18 AM, Robert Leslie Newman wrote:
>
> 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 Newman
>
> Personal Website-
>
> Adjustment To Blindness And Visual impairment
>
> http//www.thoughtprovoker.info
>
> NFB Writers' Division, president
>
> http://www.nfb-writers-division.net
>
> Chair of the NFB Communications Committee
>