This eulogy was presented at a memorial service for my friend Ann Hankinson, who had a Ph.D in music and was a nurse.

The Web of Life

A simple haiku poem written by Basho in 1686:

An ancient pond

a frog jumps in

the sound of water.

A simple event, but that frog changed the future of the world. The ripples will echo throughout eternity. We have gathered to celebrate the life of Ann Hankinson, who has changed our lives, and will, through us, change the lives of countless others, throughout eternity. For we are all connected by the web of life, and we become immortal through those connections. Our lives are not isolated; we have the privilege and responsibility to touch others and make their lives a little better.

I am amazed by the seemingly random events that have such major impacts in our lives. I first heard about Ann at Pacific Union College. She was pictured in the yearbook as one of a merry dormitory gang of rabble-rousers, whereas I was a serious physics student. She went off to nursing school, and I lost track of her for many years. After college, I worked with Milton Barber, who married Joan Haglund, one of the merry gang. Through them I met Ann. That was the start of many adventures together. We hiked the rugged west coast trail of Vancouver Island, slogging through the mud and crossing rickety bridges. I taught her to ski in one day. and she was making parallel turns in the snow. She was always open to trying something new, whether it was in relationships or careers. I am shy and aversive to risk, so she was a prod and inspiration. So a stranger has become a dear friend who has changed my life for the better, and I am sad to continue the friendship with mere memories.

My understanding of karma is that it is not a predestination. True that we are influenced by our genes and background, but we can still make choices. Those choices will determine our future and the future of others. Let us honor the memory of Ann by spreading a little kindness, sharing our grief and joy, bonded by our common humanity.

Takashi Yogi October 2018