Martin Gottschalk
Dear Hakimi family,
My sincerest condolences on your loss. I am aware of the love you all had for Mrs. Hakimi, and the care you provided her, and I know she is missed.Wow, what a rich and interesting life. Born in rural Illinois. Studied and became a nurse. Fell in love with a man from a different culture and religion (ahead of her time). Moved to Kabul, Afghanistan, a place she had probably never heard of as a girl. Raised a wonderful family of bi-cultural (but mostly Afghan) children. Served as the first lady of an Afghan province. Maintained a career as a medical professional and teacher. Survived a bloody, brutal revolution, one where her husband was jailed as a political prisoner for an extended period. Escaped back to the U.S. Had many tri(at least)-cultural grandchildren – from coast to coast (but mostly, OMG, Texan).When she was say about 18 years old, if asked what the course of her life would end up looking like, I wonder how closely she would have predicted this?So here’s to you Ruby (if I may), to a life very, very well-lived.Best regards to all of you,
Martin