I think the reminder of Karen Sharkey Flaherty Day on Monday, February 10 is, of course, to celebrate a phenomenal woman who gave all of her strength to helping people and the world, working with actions and not only words to get things done.  

But another reason to celebrate this day is to remember everything Karen stood for:  Love, kindness, selflessness, humbleness, hard work,  and that one human, one woman, CAN make a difference.  I am still amazed at how many people she has affected.  Growing up with her, there were always runaways or kids who had it pretty tough, living with us.  And she was always there as a surrogate mother.  

When she died, I remember calling many of them and just thinking of all the people who were gonna just be devastated for this loss was almost too much.  Although, it made me feel not so alone, knowing everyone loved my mother, just like me.  She was the world to me, and now she is part of the world, looking down upon us all, like a purple Saint, reminding us to take deep breaths and to be good to each other and our earth.

Last February 10th, people got together all over the world: Hawaii, Berkeley, New York, Tennessee, Baja, India, and others, to take at least 15 minutes out of their day and remember what she's shown us through her wisdom.  

Everyone had their own private circles wherever they were, but we all did it at noon no matter what time zone we were in, and usually ended the meditation with Oms. It would be nice if we could remember to do it again every year, for she was truly a Saint to me.  I would like to thank all of you for loving Karen as much as she loved us all, thank you for celebrating her life, she shall never be forgotten.

- Ellie Flaherty ellie@farmnetnews.com