For many days I had been moving past a small photo
displayed near the entrance of 'the house of miracles' (aka site base camp)
On the last day of the festival Ralph asked if I'd like to hear the story
"why of course" I answered
then quickly rushed off to do my art-in-residence thing again - flitting here and there
(binding my long book)
(binding my long book)
When I returned a few hours later Ralph quietly gave me a hand written note
in it he related the story of another festival worker - the girl in the picture
Sharada Lines
For those who can't decipher the note here's what it read:
"Sharada Lines was a volunteer. We first met her in 2006, along with best friend Jessica. They were such fun, so lovely, we decided to give them jobs whenever we could. Our initial impressions were born out, as they shared festivals with us over the next few years. And they had wonderful friends as well.
On May 20th, 2010, I invited her to come and work at Splendour in the Grass. That night I got an excited textfrom her saying "Yes! how exciting. Yes!". It was a Thursday night.
On Saturday morning I saw a facebook post - "Come back Sharada, its too soon, too soon". It didn't sound good. I called Jessica. Sharada was in intensive care on life support. Meningitis felled her on Friday night. She could die.
At 12.15 she did.
She was 26."
The Byron Bay Writers Festival gathered well over a hundred dazzlingly brilliant authors from all quarters and all genres to wow the crowds. I doubt a single one of them touched another person at the festival as much as this short handwritten note, passed over with gentleness and humility, touched me.
Ralph, for me you embodied the spirit of authorship and creativity that encompasses all that I hoped to highlight at the festival - that real tales and heroes exist between the who-har and hoopla - they transcend commerce - they are held in the hearts and minds of ordinary folk.
Thank you for sharing.
....
I'm sure Sharada's spirit was there in some form.I was at the festival on the Friday,and Saturday,and I have never felt such an air of spirituality in one place.Maybe the way the artworks were placed had a lot to do with it,too .-)
ReplyDeleteThey were two of the best days of my life,and I have had some good ones.
I never got to see the house of miracles,but I did get to experience what to me were miracles all throughout those two days that I spent there...and I doubt that I was the only one.
Loved the sacred feel your artworks brought to the festival,I doubt anyone would have done a better job.
Pitch perfect.
Cheers / Daz
Rhonda, thats a beautiful thing you've done with my handwritten story. Thank you with all my heart.
ReplyDelete@ daz - thank you, thank you - such praise (I can feel my little head swelling like a watermelon) I thought it was a lovely festival
ReplyDelete@ ralph - right back at ya xxxx
On behalf of Jessica, who tried to post a comment. She said "Aw... my beautiful Sharadi. I'm sure she is watching down on us all, touched by how much her story is reaching others, teaching us to be kind, to live life, to love with all our hearts and to make the most out of our time here on earth. She'd also be thrilled with Ralphs choice of photo.. she really liked that photo of herself.
ReplyDeleteLove love and more love Sharada! xx
Jess"