Here we are, as prosaic as possible, so we don't all start weeping:
Her warmth and her often very forthright, straightforward, sincere words touched many of us and now we are all bereft of words and so very, very sad about the passing away of our most courageous sister La Vonda R. Staples, shining that light to the very last breath, showing us all the
"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me"
May the Almighty comfort the bereaved and all who loved, love and care for and are praying for La Vonda. She sent me hundreds of requests to play some facebook game, but I never did, couldn't, I'm sorry to say that it was too emotionally demanding, even more demanding than receiving some kinds of poetry in an ancient holy tongue – by comparison that's easy, involuntary ; it's even a lot simpler to pray for life. Anyway, it should be a lot easier to communicate with her now, since she can be here; I hope that she can, but it doesn't matter... she can be where she wants to be...somehow, I've been feeling inordinately tired this past week, nothing to do with the winter weather.
It is written,
"Death cannot be and is not the end of life. Man transcends death in many altogether naturalistic fashions: He (She) may be immortal biologically through his children; in thought through the survival of his (her) memory; in influence, by virtue of the continuance of his (her) personality as a force among those who come after him (her) and ideally through his identification with the timeless things of the spirit.
When Judaism speaks of immortality it has in mind all these. But its primary meaning is that man contains something independent of the flesh and surviving it , his consciousness and moral capacity, his essential personality – a soul" ( Steinberg, Basic Judaism, p.160)
Life is sacred. Its beginning and its end are mysteries: Both birth and death touch the fringe of the divine and have therefore been invested with meaningful religious rites the sacredness of human life extends to both body and soul because – both are the handiwork of God ... Hence our concern when the material body reaches its end.
This concern gives expression both to the dead and to concern for the bereaved.
Our sages expressed this reverence for the dead by saying that the Shekinah stands at the head of a dying person..."
(Page 270 A Guide to Jewish Religious Practice)
May we always cherish her memory. We talked once, on the phone before she found out that she was so ill, but back then, what a vivacious, witty sister! She came across straight, no frills, a humble, and down-to-earth and far from any self-exaltation, we talked about everything and she got me laughing for the better part of an hour and half, as if I had known her all my life and we had so much in common – she was not at all a stranger. She even got me to understand Brother Valentine Ojo in a way that it would not have been possible for even Ojo the Mojo himself to do. After the "I don't wanna get in touch with any pastor" stuff, it was difficult to get her on the phone – I tried – but you know , if you have a slight religious background, you might want to talk about the consolations of the holy spirit , and I had sensed La Vonda's inner strength didn't want to get in touch with the preacher aspects of the living reality and we may have even quarrelled if I wanted to insist on bitachon (total reliance on the Almighty (like my Ghanaian friend Ishaq, almost twenty years ago he ordered some friends guys to please leave when they visited him in hospital to read him verses from the Quran, because they thought he was dying. I met his son this Ramadan and he told me that at some time Ishaq had to break his fast this Ramadan , but he is still very much alive - thank God! )
Dear La Vonda, her work completed here on earth she's back to where she came from and that's why we're going to miss her so much, a genuine ( not fake) human being
It's time for the poets and some poet-ry...
May her soul continue its journey from light to light, in love and perfect peace.
Someone please say Amen.
On Saturday, 25 January 2014 22:02:32 UTC+1, Abegunrin, Olayiwola M. wrote:
May Sister La Vonda soul rest in peace
Layi
From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com [usaafric...@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of Hamburg, Roger P. [hamb...@iusb.edu]
Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 1:38 PM
To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
Subject: RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - La Vonda Lives...
Quoting "Assensoh, Akwasi B."<aass...@indiana.edu>:Love Portland,O
AND THE DUCKS!
>
> Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Sir Toyin and Professor Emegwali
> (Sister Gloria), who prompted several of us to make "almighty dollar"
> donations to Sister La Vonda, after which she communicated privately
> with some of us. I feel liberated that, as Jesus asked us to do, I
> loved a fellow human being!
>
> I will forever be grateful to Professor Emeagwali, who "threw the
> first stone" by suggesting that she was ready to make a donation, and
> it became wise to give between $50 and $100. It was not even how much
> we gave individually, but just knowing that a sister was in need, and
> we helped.
>
> Who knows: Sister La Vonda may be Heaven's Gatekeeper-in-Chief, and
> she will let us in, no matter our "heinous" sins! I know she is in
> heaven because she has signaled in her last Testament below that
> there is no more suffering! However, we are suffering now because,
> like an old song, "Tears are on my pillow" right now! Just knowing
> that -- like Shelley's "Death the Leveller" poem -- death has placed
> its icy hands on her brings out tons of tears, just as I am writing
> right now; I even mis-spelled "is" because I could not see clearly!!
>
> Rest in perfect peace, Sister La Vonda, until we meet again! Sir
> Toyin, many thanks for sending our "almighty dollar" donations to her
> promptly. Yvette and I feel liberated and happy to do more in future
> for another sister or brother in financial distress or need with no
> hesittaion!
>
> A.B. Assensoh, Eugene, Oregon
>
> ________________________________________
> From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
> [usaafric...@googlegroups.com ] on behalf of Emeagwali, Gloria
> (History) [emea...@mail.ccsu.edu]
> Sent: Saturday, January 25, 2014 8:23 AM
> To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: RE: USA Africa Dialogue Series - La Vonda Lives...
>
> So sad. May her soul rest in peace.
>
>
>
> Professor Gloria Emeagwali
> Prof. of History & African Studies
>
>
> ________________________________
> From: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
> [usaafric...@googlegroups.com ] On Behalf Of Michael Afolayan
> [mafo...@yahoo.com]
> Sent: Friday, January 24, 2014 6:43 PM
> To: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: Re: USA Africa Dialogue Series - La Vonda Lives...
>
> Very true, our sister and friend, LaVonda, is gone. I just finished
> talking to the husband. She passed away at 4 am - now I know why I
> was sleepless all night. I (or my wife) will be at the funeral on
> Tuesday and will be sure to let her folks know her place in the
> hearts of members of this community. Her soul is resting in peace!
>
> Michael O. Afolayan
>
>
>
> On Friday, January 24, 2014 4:46 PM, "blargeo...@gmail.com"
> <blargeo...@gmail.com> wrote:
> I cannot begin to explain my feelings. I am covered with goose
> pimples and I mourn sister Lavonda as much as any close family member.
>
> She is family. Not with the way she has shared her last days and with
> courage too.
>
> The rain is falling here in ikeja, and my tears too. No preparation
> can fortify one against this loss.
>
> Rest in peace Sister Staples. Rest, rest, rest rest rest rest rest in peace!
>
> Sent from my BlackBerry wireless device from MTN
> ________________________________
> From: Ikhide <xok...@yahoo.com>
> Sender: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
> Date: Fri, 24 Jan 2014 10:17:15 -0800 (PST)
> To: Toyin Falola<USAAfric...@googlegroups.com >
> ReplyTo: usaafric...@googlegroups.com
> Subject: USA Africa Dialogue Series - La Vonda Lives...
>
> Dear Family & Friends,
>
> If you are reading this, I have successfully made my transition to be
> with my Heavenly Father. I have Lived, Laughed, and Loved. I have
> shared most of my life experiences & lessons with everyone I know
> with the intention to help those without a voice. I am overjoyed that
> I was able to touch as many lives as I have.Believe me when I tell
> you that I suffer no more, and I am in a much better place. My
> ancestors and I have a LOT of catching up to do...
>
> Always remember, life is what you make it. Make it your best...you
> only live once.
>
> I love you all forever,
>
> La Vonda R. Staples
>
> - Ikhide
>
> Stalk my blog at http://www.xokigbo.com/
> Follow me on Twitter: @ikhide
> Join me on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ikhide<http://www.facebook.com/ikhide >
>
>
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