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| Paula's Raven |
December 5, 2005 23:46 |
|
Matt
Van Isl |
Well Paula, it's now very close to a year now since I last said goodbye. Still think about you lots and miss you everyday.
On the back of my helmet is a raven with the letter P beside it. In effect a tribute and reminder of one of my favourite souls with my favourite bird. Why a noisy, garbage eating, mischievious, shit disturbing bird to symbolize Paula? (Hey, c'mon we all have our momennts, even Paula)
Don't worry. If it were strictly a face value symbol, well then I'd choose a small falcon (a kestrel or a merlin perhaps). Beautiful and powerful.
So why a raven? Because to me the raven is a living example of two prized qualities that I believe Paula embodied.
Two big words.
Resilience and Exuberance.
Resilience? While all the other birds are tucked safely in their nests, the raven is everpresent no matter the winds, winter or weather. Making sense of the powerful updrafts and downdrafts found in the mountains (and life as well). And doing so
with grace and style.
Exuberance? Ask any birder or look in any birdbook and I think you'll find the raven is noted for being the bird that most truly revels in the joy of flight. What other bird loops and rolls for fun? Look up next time your in the hills, and think of Paula.
Simply put this bird "Raawwkkss"
As mentioned before I believe Paula's memory and spirit lives on in our hearts.
Still playing a part in the infinitely complex tale the world weaves as a collective.
...Thundering over ridgelines, carving into creeks and couloirs. Circling peaks and tickling treetops. Paula you dance in my heart.....and I know you ride with me.
Love, Always.
Matt |
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| a crazy journey |
December 1, 2005 09:10 |
|
les
oz |
-
Paula to Lesley email
re: her distress at a spelling mistake she made -"Tahnk You"- in an email which she sent out to some important people.
December 1, 2004.
"Poopy, [her nickname for me!?] you make me laugh. I got your message when I was at work...'Tahnk You'...ha! Oh well, it happens. I just love me. What a crazy journey life is..." |
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| grade 13 grad drink |
November 30, 2005 11:10 |
|
les
oz |
-
Paula celebrating after completing high school with some friends at 'Jack Astors' in Ontario.
Cheers! |
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| point GUARD |
November 30, 2005 10:57 |
|
les
oz |
-
our champ.
very difficult to defeat. |
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| she'll climb anything! |
November 30, 2005 10:47 |
|
les
oz |
-
Ha ha I love this...Paula practicing her climbing/bouldering moves on our spiral staircase in Ontario.
Paula could make a sport or activity out of ANYTHING. |
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| tiga |
November 30, 2005 10:43 |
|
les
oz |
-
I love this picture so much for two reasons.
1. It's of our family dog -(but she was really "Paula's dog")- TIGA - a silly, sweet dog. She was an important part of Paula's life.
2. Paula took this pic - Tiga in her element...not too long before Tiga passed away.
I can still see the dog chasing after Paula on our off-road motorbike. I think of that a lot... |
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| paula in awareness |
November 30, 2005 10:31 |
|
les
oz |
-
Paula in a peaceful moment at the start of our climbing trip (Peyto?)2000. |
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| Paula and me forever |
November 30, 2005 10:27 |
|
les
oz |
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We are glacier girls! - 2000. Paula took me climbing up/along Peyto glacier (I think this is Peyto)! |
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| wish |
November 29, 2005 10:06 |
|
les
oz |
-
But oh for the touch of a vanished hand
and the sound of a voice that is still
-Tennyson |
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| Legends |
November 26, 2005 09:28 |
|
Lindsay
Vermont |
Lesley,
I had heard about Paula. I can't imagine the pain
you've been through and the constant ache you must
feel. Les, I am so angry. There is nothing more
inexcusable than the selfish act of a drunk driver.
It makes me so frustrated. Like so many others, I
idolized Paula during high school. As a little grade
niner, I used to gaze up at her photos on the wall of
athletic accomplishments... wishing that I could be as
talented as she. Even when I was awarded
athlete-of-the-year at the end of grade 13 I didn't
feel worthy of inclusion in a group that honored Paula
Ashby. She is a legend. |
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| strength in the face of adversity |
November 10, 2005 21:52 |
|
Rhonda
Calgary |
hey paula - it was a year ago this week that you so bravely underwent treatment for RSD. i still remember your smiling face as you came out of the treatment room. slightly dopey from the sedative :-) but optimistic, accepting, and as usual - hungry! with your loving mom by your side.
------------------------------------------
winter months
dark and cold
memories cut through
has it really been a year?
breath by breath
we step forward
pain from loss
strength from you
Namaste my friend |
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| freedom |
October 23, 2005 07:23 |
|
les
oz |
-
paula to lesley email.
october 23 2004
"lately i've been having really vivid dreams of running...
in the dreams, i'm not aware of my body...just the feeling of running! and the freedom of it..."
i think of this whenever i go for my run, hoping you're running beside me.
o god i miss you so much |
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| rainy day |
September 9, 2005 15:39 |
|
Sarah
canmore |
|
It's been a year today that I last shared one of your warm hugs. I miss you a ton. My birthday will always be filled with memories of you. I was such a lucky friend. Thanks Paula- |
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| Walking Under the Stars |
September 9, 2005 12:17 |
|
Lesley
Oz |
.......................................
Paula was also exceptional at writing.
(Just another one of her many talents!)
This is an excerpt of one of the poems she wrote. She gave it to me (in the form of an oil painting) for my birthday one year. I think it was 1998.
WALKING UNDER THE STARS
For Lesley
(stanza 2)
The lone figure,
on the edge of a crystal-like thought,
walks proudly beneath the starry scope
of unanswered questions.
A quiet smile, widened eyes,
and a sigh of fulfillment,
brings the figure closer
to the furthest thought. |
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| Angels |
August 24, 2005 20:45 |
|
friend of family
ontario |
I came across this saying and it really helps me...
Angels can't fly
when their wings
are soaked
by the tears of those
who loved them
-author unknown to me |
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| Paula's Energy Bars |
August 10, 2005 19:11 |
|
Alaina
Canmore, Alberta |
Hello all,
I was going through some papers and found the recipie that Paula gave me for her Energy Bars and thought some of you would enjoy trying it out. There are no measurements on the recipie, so I think you just 'feel your way' with it. Experiment!
Molasses, Peanut Butter, Honey & Jam
Dates, Raisins, Cranberries
Crushed Peanuts, Sunflower Seeds & Ground Flax
Mix together and bake at 300F for 40 minutes. |
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| Yasodhara Ashram |
July 19, 2005 20:22 |
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Rhonda
Calgary |
On the shores of Kootenay Lake, BC. I have just returned from a 10 days of yoga course and spiritual retreat. I thought of all the talks you and I had about this amazing, healing and grounding place: the Yasodhara Ashram. How the powerful Light there fills our souls. How we were planning to take a trip there together one day. I talked to people there who knew you and remembered your special spirit. I felt your spirit presence in the Temple of Divine Light. You are the Light now Paula.
I am created by Divine Light
I am sustained by Divine Light
I am protected by Divine Light
I am surrounded by Divine Light
I am ever growing into Divine Light.
-Divine Light Invocation by Swami Sivananda Radha
Namaste Paula
Light and Love,
Rhonda |
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| while were on subject...... |
July 14, 2005 20:58 |
|
Matt
Van Isl. |
Stumbled on to this the other day while looking through an ecology book, of all places.(David Suzuki's:A Delicate Balance)
Figured it'd fit nicely here. Love always fills the void.
No Einstein, but I do know that he'd say at a fundamental(and somewhat incomprenhensible) level:"Atoms are pure Energy." Deep Thoughts? You Betcha!! So here goes.
something to ponder...
"Love,from whom the world begun,
Hath the secret of the sun,
Love can tell, and love alone,
Whence the million stars were strewn,
Why each atom knows it's own."
-Robert Bridges
"Love; Paula, where you began,what you
created and where you have returned"
-Matt
something to picture....(best served with
your favourite soothing music.Zamfir only
in a pinch. And maybe your favourite
choice of alcohol, if need be.)
Paula's spirit an ethereal mix
somewhere between a comet, crashing
whitewater and her beautiful smile. Not
unlike a raven's dance on the high
mountain winds. But on a much grander and
magical scale.
Dancing, swirling, swooping and soaring.
Flowing gracefully within and between our
hearts, enveloping us all.
...and if you can't picture this you can always think of "Tinkerbell" if it gets you
close enough.
Paula, sorry about that last line. Couldn't resist.
Love you and miss you, lots buddy.
Matt |
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| love |
July 13, 2005 00:21 |
|
lesley
australia |
I read this on the plane somewhere from LA to Auckland; the author had lost his son to a botched medical procedure in Australia:
"Love is an energy. It cannot die"
you are always with me Paula. always.
Love you. |
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| Paula's Tree |
June 22, 2005 14:08 |
|
Fitness on 5th
Calgary, AB |
Paula's friends at Fitness on 5th gathered together to remember Paula and plant a beautiful Chubert Cherry Tree in our playground on June 5th. A place for us to go to reflect and remember how much Paula is a part of us here. We love and miss you very much Paula, you will always be with us.
We Love You Paula.
Fitness on 5th Staff |
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