Sufi Remembrance

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4 Memories for “Irene Rokstad”

1. on 25 Jul 2010 at 3:30 am1Tara

   Beloved Mother of her tribe of five. While in recovery from treatments for cancer and quite diminished physically she answered a question on a questionnaire that was meant to reveal more about oneself – the question was “Four places I would like to be right now:
   1.Here
   2.In the present
   3.Now
   4.Here

   I reflect on this and take solace in her strength, grace and bravery in the midst of her experience. I remember her smile as she answered and carry this thought into deed as often as possible in my life.

2. on 26 Jul 2010 at 3:04 am2Mollie

   Here. In the present. Now. Here.
   Thank you Irene for being a rock solid mom.
   I have been blessed to have come to know & love your babes.
   I am nourished by the raw oysters we ate in the sound.

3. on 06 Aug 2010 at 7:45 pm3Cortney

   Mother. Irene was the epitome of maternal energy. She raised five of the most creative, independent, beautiful and simply incredible people I know. She allowed her children the freedom to express themselves and provided the support for them to fully spread their wings.

   Present. Irene effortlessly mastered one of the most important skills–to be fully present. To enjoy each moment, with each person. I always felt as if time slowed down just a bit when I was with her. An amazing ability I hope to master one day…

   Partner. Irene seemed to have such an easy relationship with her love Malcolm. I can’t recall a time when I saw them argue. They allowed one another such personal room to be who they were, but were always so together as a couple and as parents. They weren’t opposites, but certainly had a yin yang balance and modeled a relationship we all should strive for.

   Woman. Grounded, strong, outspoken, caring, nurturing. She was and is a presence of goodness.

   Fashionista. Irene had such personal style. She was like a fashion private detective and found the best stuff in the most random places.

   I love you and miss you,
   Cortney

4. on 21 Mar 2012 at 3:57 am4Bruce K.

   Irene was a high school classmate, though I didn’t know her well until she moved to Palo Alto in her early twenties with Tara. I don’t think I’ve ever met a warmer, more loving and fully alive human.

   There was a 10 year gap before I saw her again in Southern California. This was in the late 80’s after Taflin and Zooey were born. She was so easy to be with, despite the long time without contact.

   At our H.S. 20th reunion in 1990 I got to meet Malcom and her youngest child, who was still an infant. Same warmth, same laugh, same embracing soul.

   When I heard she was gravely ill, I got her phone number at the medical facility in Germany where she was being treated. I called her and we had a very good conversation, with only a slight trace of awkwardness at the beginning — and why not, it had been 15 years since we’d been in contact. What a brave soul she was. What a model for a life well lived.

   Rest in peace and joy, Irene.

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