Thank you for sharing this heartbreak with us, Heather. My heart goes out to Caroline, to her parents and family, to all of you at Tassajara, and to everyone who searched so tirelessly for Caroline. I will be thinking of all of you in the days ahead.
Heather, thank you so much for sharing these words. Please know that you and all of our friends at Tassajara are being held in our embrace all around the world. Caroline's name is on our altar at Mid City Zen in New Orleans after the memorial service we held on Sunday. We are thinking of you and sending so much love.
Thank you! This is so beautifully written.I met Caroline when I was there last year for sangha week. I really appreciate hearing the stories and the open sharing of how together we heal through grief. May all the Buddha and Bodhisattvas concentrate their hearts on you all. 🧡🌻delfina piretti
Thank you, Heather, for sharing this tragedy of Caroline. We all know, understand, and feel heartbreak, particularly of a young person’s death. Life is as fragile as a flower in a thunderstorm. May the goodness of Caroline’s heart remain a healing elixir for all who visit Tassajara. May her spirit and soul rest peacefully in the arms of the Buddha.
I'm Caroline's mother. Heartfelt thanks to Heather for crafting a very painful story, with deep feeling and appreciation not only for our beloved Caroline, but for the Search and Rescue crews and all the Tassajara friends and volunteers who joined in the search. My husband and I were held with gentle grace at Tassajara, and so appreciate the outpouring of care, from family and friends, and from people we have never met. We are grateful to learn the many ways that Caroline's wise and loving spirit touched so many--the gifts she gave and those she received. Thank you also for the beautiful comments to Heather's dispatch. Even in heartbreak, there is gratitude. Bowing deeply, Jean
What a beautiful tribute, what a terrible loss. So sorry. Prayers from another faith coming your way. Peace to all, and especially to Caroline's parents, John and Jean.
Caroline was so beautiful. Not knowing about her hike and search efforts, the email about her being found dead was total shock and deeply disturbing. My heart opens and I send all my love to you at Tassajara, and to Caroline's parents. When I visit this summer, every garden flower I see will be Caroline for me.
I worked with Caroline in the garden for Sangha Week last year, and I'm still enveloped by her kindness, humor and deep and wide appreciation for all things green, growing and alive. I learned so much her. We laughed a lot as we turned compost, planted seedlings and weeded. She offered so much warmth, plant knowledge and love. My garden thanks you deeply, Caroline. And I will miss you every time I visit Tassajara. May you rest in peace and joy.
Shoren, thank you for sharing some of the ways that Caroline's absence and death have affected you and others in the community. I'm moved by the intimacy of it all, and the feeling of being defenseless against the workings of karma so close to home, in our time and space and minds.
Please know that I chant for all of you every day and that I send my heartfelt condolences and care to those whose hearts are hurting. As for Caroline, her karma carries her now and that is a comfort to me, knowing that she had her practice and had been such a positive presence for others.
May you all be well and at ease. May you be free from suffering. May Caroline also be at ease and free from suffering in whatever form she is now. May all beings be free from all suffering. Indeed, everything is Caroline. Gassho, Konin
Dear Shoren, I am so sorry for your loss, and the loss to the whole community. I had been keeping Caroline in heart-mind since I heard the news. Great sadness.
Heart broken about this dear person’s death even though I didn’t know her. I feel for every person in this sangha who is suffering so keenly right now. 🙏🏼
Dear Shoren Heather, I am so sorry for this unfathomable loss, for Caroline's family and for the whole SFZC sangha, especially those at Tassajara. A dear friend of mine has been there for the winter, Yael. If you happen to see her and it feels appropriate, please give her my love.
All of you are in my heart and prayers. Thank you for your practice.
Thank you for sharing this heartbreak with us, Heather. My heart goes out to Caroline, to her parents and family, to all of you at Tassajara, and to everyone who searched so tirelessly for Caroline. I will be thinking of all of you in the days ahead.
Heather, thank you so much for sharing these words. Please know that you and all of our friends at Tassajara are being held in our embrace all around the world. Caroline's name is on our altar at Mid City Zen in New Orleans after the memorial service we held on Sunday. We are thinking of you and sending so much love.
Thank you! This is so beautifully written.I met Caroline when I was there last year for sangha week. I really appreciate hearing the stories and the open sharing of how together we heal through grief. May all the Buddha and Bodhisattvas concentrate their hearts on you all. 🧡🌻delfina piretti
Thank you, Heather, for sharing this tragedy of Caroline. We all know, understand, and feel heartbreak, particularly of a young person’s death. Life is as fragile as a flower in a thunderstorm. May the goodness of Caroline’s heart remain a healing elixir for all who visit Tassajara. May her spirit and soul rest peacefully in the arms of the Buddha.
Gassho...
Stan Jernigan
I'm Caroline's mother. Heartfelt thanks to Heather for crafting a very painful story, with deep feeling and appreciation not only for our beloved Caroline, but for the Search and Rescue crews and all the Tassajara friends and volunteers who joined in the search. My husband and I were held with gentle grace at Tassajara, and so appreciate the outpouring of care, from family and friends, and from people we have never met. We are grateful to learn the many ways that Caroline's wise and loving spirit touched so many--the gifts she gave and those she received. Thank you also for the beautiful comments to Heather's dispatch. Even in heartbreak, there is gratitude. Bowing deeply, Jean
What a beautiful tribute, what a terrible loss. So sorry. Prayers from another faith coming your way. Peace to all, and especially to Caroline's parents, John and Jean.
Heather, thank you for so tenderly bringing us into this circle of loss, lit by Caroline's bright light.
Caroline was so beautiful. Not knowing about her hike and search efforts, the email about her being found dead was total shock and deeply disturbing. My heart opens and I send all my love to you at Tassajara, and to Caroline's parents. When I visit this summer, every garden flower I see will be Caroline for me.
I worked with Caroline in the garden for Sangha Week last year, and I'm still enveloped by her kindness, humor and deep and wide appreciation for all things green, growing and alive. I learned so much her. We laughed a lot as we turned compost, planted seedlings and weeded. She offered so much warmth, plant knowledge and love. My garden thanks you deeply, Caroline. And I will miss you every time I visit Tassajara. May you rest in peace and joy.
Shoren, thank you for sharing some of the ways that Caroline's absence and death have affected you and others in the community. I'm moved by the intimacy of it all, and the feeling of being defenseless against the workings of karma so close to home, in our time and space and minds.
Please know that I chant for all of you every day and that I send my heartfelt condolences and care to those whose hearts are hurting. As for Caroline, her karma carries her now and that is a comfort to me, knowing that she had her practice and had been such a positive presence for others.
May you all be well and at ease. May you be free from suffering. May Caroline also be at ease and free from suffering in whatever form she is now. May all beings be free from all suffering. Indeed, everything is Caroline. Gassho, Konin
Dear Shoren, I am so sorry for your loss, and the loss to the whole community. I had been keeping Caroline in heart-mind since I heard the news. Great sadness.
May her memory be a blessing
Thank you. I didn’t know Caroline but feel so connected to her and you all through this terribly difficult time. 🙏🏽
Heart broken about this dear person’s death even though I didn’t know her. I feel for every person in this sangha who is suffering so keenly right now. 🙏🏼
Dear Shoren Heather, I am so sorry for this unfathomable loss, for Caroline's family and for the whole SFZC sangha, especially those at Tassajara. A dear friend of mine has been there for the winter, Yael. If you happen to see her and it feels appropriate, please give her my love.
All of you are in my heart and prayers. Thank you for your practice.
This moved me deeply, Heather. Thank you for sharing your heart and the heart of Tassajara.