Lori Norman

Lori Norman, 12/28/1948 - 5/3/2024

On the occasion of Lori’s 75th birthday in December, this is some of what Bob wrote to her:

“This feels like a good time and place to acknowledge and celebrate the many powerful, loving impacts you’ve had on so many other lives. In the varied roles to which you gave your heart and soul, you always found ways to be of loving service. For 24 years you were a nun in a global community of sisters serving others. During those years and after, your gifts included being a teacher to the Syracuse inner-city students, showing them a power they didn’t know they possessed to be agents in their own lives. As a rape crisis counselor to the youngest victims, you helped them find healing from their darkest places. As a primary school teacher you brought to your students a capacity for love and affirmation that will remain with them for life. As a Hospice Bereavement Counselor, you brought comfort to those dealing with intense suffering. As a memoirist, you shared intimate parts of your life so that others might find the courage to welcome change into their lives. All of this is only a part of what you’ve given with love throughout your life. 

And now, on this journey towards the end of that life, you are an awesome role model to countless people in walking this final path impeccably. So many powerful, loving impacts on so many lives! What a blessing your life has been.”

It’s so common to find ourselves struggling with life’s trials by either denying or ignoring the basic realities of our lives, the heart of which is our mortality. Lori though, through all the changes and losses she experienced, which made obvious the impermanence of every aspect of life, continued to find equanimity. The journey to this place of awareness and acceptance had been life-long for Lori. Meditation, mindfulness practice, contemplation, living in the moment (today, not yesterday or tomorrow) allowed her to achieve a level of tranquility that continually amazes people. 

With the help of our end-of-life doula, Lori found expression for her vision for this “season” of her life, this time of dying. Her desire was to: 

        Make loving choices.

        Receive graciously.

        Be with what Is, even as it changes. 

Living each day with these guiding principles gave Lori’s days a clear, self-directed structure.

In Lori’s words on CaringBridge:

“Each new thing is an invitation to ponder, to be with, to hold gently. Dying is a journey for me. As the road curves or hills and valleys need to be crossed, I try to stay aware of what is, what this moment holds. It’s a journey I make, surrounded by love from each of you, but a journey I must make alone. No one can do this for me. I’m so grateful for the quiet time of these last months [and years] so I have had room to ponder. It’s been a tremendous gift. The peace in my heart has only deepened. Thank you.

It’s time for me to be, not do. Time to listen to what I know I need. Time to care for myself. It’s time for me to let the soil of my own garden lie fallow. A very rich time indeed which I truly don’t want to miss.”

For me, Bob, walking this final path with Lori has been the most precious gift. The fruits of that gift will live in my heart all my life.