Remembrances . . . continued
From her friend. Angela Garcia:
I met Sandra through the ULTRA multiple sclerosis support group about 20 years ago. In the fall of 2014 we participated together in some special Pilates classes geared especially for MS patients. The exercises and stretches were very humbling. The movements themselves were not difficult, but we both became increasingly aware of our physical weaknesses that we usually compensated for or worked around. We looked forward to Mondays! Sandra and I would have lunch together (usually Oriental food of some kind) and then rush off to Pilates where we worked very hard and laughed even harder. Afterwards we’d enjoy the trip back to Sandra’s place while gabbing about how sore our muscles were but also about how much stronger and even taller we both felt. Not sure if it was the Oriental food, the Pilates, or both, but that was a period of growth for the two of us and our friendship.
From her friend, Michelle Raines:
Sandra was one of the funniest and toughest people I’ve ever met. Her severe aphasia caused her to have limited ability to speak, but that didn’t throw her off because with perfectly delivered facial expressions and sharp comedic timing, she cracked up those around her, and for people meeting her for the first time, often caught them off-guard, in the best way.
She lived through a lot of hardship, and I don’t mean with hardship, I mean through it, because with all of the trials that the world threw at her, she always came through them, out the other side, and with joy remaining in her heart that nothing could take away—that is what made her so tough.
She taught me a lot of things but maybe most importantly, she taught me to slow down, to take in the moment, to enjoy all the little gifts we receive each day. She always liked to go to the produce section at the grocery store, and stroll leisurely down the aisle, taking in all the colors and varieties of offerings. The produce section will always remind me of her, because she made such a seemingly simple, inconsequential thing, into a moment of happiness and gratitude. She was my friend, and I only wish we’d had a chance to share more laughs together.
From Dr. Corwin, StAR Program Director:
I remember Sandra helped out one year by participating in a research project about aphasia. She was asked to watch a video of a doctor explaining stroke and aphasia
Afterwards, when we asked her opinion of the video, she pointed to the doctor and said, “Hubba Hubba!”
Sandra could ease tension and produce laughter and smiles from anyone, anywhere. That was one of her many gifts.
From her friend, LaDonna Elam:
Sandra, I met you 6 1/2 years ago at STAR. You were always so kind to me, and you could laugh and giggle!
Since I had had my stroke, I really didn’t feel like I had friends. But when I met you, you always told me “friend friend”! And I told you friend back!
We went to camp, and we loved painting and music!
And I just enjoyed the time spent with you with everything you had been through, and you almost always smile! I used to get tickled when you said “coffee, coffee”, Sandra needs coffee!
And then there were many times when she would get to Star as fast as she could, so she could tell me she got a new purse!!! She loved new purses!
And she was just a beautiful young lady every day. And I know she is with Jesus now. She can talk and laugh and run and smile, and I am thankful for that. But I am going to miss her. She was my friend and she won’t be able to call me anymore and say “hi hi”, just to brighten my day.
I love you, Sandra, and I thank you for being my friend and I will see you when you come to my time with Jesus again