URS: October 7, 2000
Hazrat Inayat Khan
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David was such as bright light! A consistent presence at Mendocino Camp and in Northern California Sufi events of all kinds, his calm, unfailing good energy was always so welcome to me.
Shaffee
David had a great love for life, for his family, for kids, for God, Jesus, Sam, Hazrat Inayat Khan, and the Sufi sangha — and for singing in Deborah’s gospel choir. He had deep appreciation for his teacher, Pir Shabda Kahn.
Dave had many struggles in his life and surmounted them all with courage, except cancer which he then used as a catapult into deeper awareness.
He taught me lots about love. Insu
Reading my old journals for the first time I came across an entry about David Hyams, whom I hadn’t thought about for decades. I knew both he and his partner Maureeen in Vancouver around 1974-75. We did zikr together. David gave me his Turkish prayer beads before I left for Europe. A few destitute years later I wound up taking them back to where they came from, to Konya, where I studied Islam. A remarkable time in my life. His beads are still there. So sad to hear of his death. A beautiful human being.
I usually think of David when his birthday rolls around. There is something about his soul that is great to know and remember. A smile serene and a wit and tone that echoed the joys of life. I know we all move on when our time comes and he must have reached a certain perfection sooner than most.
Warmly, John
I am so very happy to find this website!!! Time has flown through the wind in years, its as if the memories of Mr. Hyams, were freshly imprinted and I was a fifth grader again. I attended Sierra Avenue School in Oroville, CA and had the great privileged to be in Mr. Hyams class. The Superintendent during that time was Miss. Nugent. I love the school I attended and look forward to Mr. Hyams lessons in meditation, silent ball, singing and strumming his acoustic guitar. Not to mention 25 cents for ice cream and cookies we get from the school on every friday. I enjoy the yearly festivities and activities as the whole school get together to participate in talents, creative arts, music, and watch each class perform a selected dance.
I was a very shy child and speak little English at the time. As curious as I was about the world, the school, and what Mr. Hyams have taught me, which I absorbed like reading a book. I grew up in an abusive environment and the only thing I look forward to every day was school. Mr. Hyams, was a favorite teacher I dote on, because he helped me make some class friends and taught me how to breathe through meditation. Every day by the end of class, we would write in our journal about the day and what our reflection of it. Mr. Hyams would play one of his classic Beatles song or John Denver, ‘Take me Home, Country Roads,’ by the end of the day to soothe the young hearts of his fellow students. To remind us that music can heal in many ways.
Unfortunately, my step father and mother was not able to financially support the location we lived in Oroville and we had to move to Sacramento to live with relatives. Due to the sudden grave news I heard at the time, I shed many tears for my very few friends I have acquainted and not wanting to move to the big city. As well as looking forward to the field trip with Mr. Hyams and everyone in class, since we were all going to Monterrey Bay Aquarium and ice skating. Here I thought, I would never again get the chance to go see those amazing places since I don’t get to go outside and play.
I would love to share some letters Mr. Hyams and I wrote to each other when I was a kid in fifth grade. I look forward to his letters through the mail since the internet and emails did not exist at that time. Only typewriters. Till this very day, I still practice what he taught us in class and miss him dearly. At the time when I heard of his death, it felt like an arrow struck inside my undying heart as the waterfall gushed out suddenly and for days I felt restless. However, when the waterfall receded, I had a smile on my face knowing that his spiritual soul will always be beside me guiding me like he did with his teachings. ^_^
Mr. Hyams sent me a lovely picture card, Bank of the Epte River, View from the Marsh, by one of his favorite painters Claude Monet.
In his letter he wrote:
I just re-read your last note. I liked the image of me smiling up out of the letter at you. I can see your smiley peeking between the letters as I write. It’s nice! Well, I’m feeling better + have gone back to work again. I missed it when I was at home.
Do you like this card? It’s a copy of a painting by my very favorite artist, Claude Monet (moan-ay), a French artist. The style of the painting is called Impressionism because these artists painted an impression of how things looked, not trying to paint realistically like a photograph? Do you like it? Hold it at different distances from your face + see how it changes a bit. Tell me what you think. If you like this picture + want to see more by Monet and other Impressionist painters, go to the library + get a book; they have big books of paintings.
Is there a public library near where you live? Do you have a library card? They’re FREE + like a ticket to any place or anything you can think of.
Oh oh, can you tell I’m left handed? My hand dragging across this slick card has really smudged it. Sorry!
P/S Write soon + tell me all about yourself + what you are doing.
Affectionately, Mr H
This card has a photo: KIM ANDERSON with a big red umbrella and a little girl eating pink ice cream with her dog. Its a black/white photo, but the umbrella, her hat, hair, ice cream, and red shoes only has color.
In this letter, he wrote:
What a delightful surprise to walk up to my mailbox in the teacher’s room last Friday and see you letter. The second I saw your name on it I could see you smiling away on my majic screen! My whole day was happy!
I told Miss Nugent about your letter and she asked for your address so who knows, you might get a letter from her too.
I’m not leaving room 8 Nalica so if you like, keep writing me there. I’m looking forward to hearing more from you.
P/S My wife and Jonet love helped me pick this card for you. Hope you like it. I have a very sweet class this year.
Affectionately, Mr. Hyams
This Photo Cover art is created by Nguyen Van Anh, Xa Dan School for children with Hearing Impairment, Vietnam from Catholic Relief Services. Photo by: Kerry Hodges.
In this letter he says:
Thanks so much for your New Year’s Greeting. It always makes me smile to hear from you. I gave your other letter to Ms. Nugent and she’s probably already written back to you. Oops! She’s just quicker with her mail that’s all. I’m soooo glad that you still use your 3 counts in, 3 counts out breathing + your majic screen. I always wonder which kids will realize “Oh, I don’t need Mr. Hyams to breathe + relax or to turn on my imagination; I just need to keep using the tools he gave us.” It’s good to know that you are one of the people who really continued to use these skills + made them your own.
So lots of testing in Jr High. Do you think that’s because you have a different teacher for each subject? We’re spending more time at Sierra practising how to take the STAT 9 test that all the kids in CA take every spring. NO MORE FUN! (Okay, maybe a little fun). So what’s your favorite song you remember from 5th grade?
Nice chattin which choo,
Mr. H
The last letter I received on January 4, 2001. The letter is a copy of Claude Monet, Nympheas, effet du soir, 1897-1898 Water-lilies, 1897-1898 indicated:
I am so sorry to tell you that Mr. Hyams died on Oct 7, 2000 from cancer. I remember how fond he was of you. I hope you are well and studying hard. Nothing would honor his memory more than your success. Wishing you a bright future.
Yours Sincerely,
Mrs. Insu Hyams
Before I depart from this, I just want to thank the Hyams family for taking care of my teacher Mr. Hyams. It is an honor to be one of his students. If any of his family members are reading this, you can email me at chingyueong11@gmail.com. I do apologize for the long extended letter, but I have so much to say and to be grateful for. With warm hugs, kisses, and peace be with all of you.
Hug a tree!
Nalica Her Xiong