The Neda Fund

06/11/2019

05/01/2018

Coming up on our 7th Anniversary.

01/04/2018

When Neda died, I was surprised by my hitherto unknown ability to remove the grief from the moment, in the moment, and to focus on the moment itself.

From this trait I learned that from great loss comes remarkable wisdom, and that the kindness we receive, from those who stand with us in moments of exceptional misfortune, is a prompt to remember - and to pass on - this wisdom, when similar circumstances present.

I was reminded today of a good friend's grief. He'd lost a son not too long ago - a son who'd've celebrated his birthday today - the first since his departure.

His dad was understandably troubled by the occasion.

I sent him a note, assuring him that these milestones & anniversaries are acutely painful at first but, over time, these commemorations - particularly those of arrival & departure - dissolve, and become an almost wonderful opportunity to recharge reminiscences attendant upon days such as these.

Happy New Year.

10/26/2017

Hey folks, this past Oct 19th was/would've been Neda's 13th Birthday, which would mean she's been gone longer than she was here. Time is a strange thing.
I've been in touch of late, with a mother from my neck of the woods, who recently lost her daughter, and who I've sought to assure that the keenness of loss loses its edge over time.
I still pay my regular visits to Neda at the Breachway, and we have our chats - one-sided as they may be. I must say that, over the years, she's become an excellent listener, and a marvelously moderating influence. For those acquainted with grievous loss, I can tell you that it get's less bad...

08/27/2017

08/03/2017

Hello, all...
These periodic prompts from FB, to post from time to time, are food for thought.
Of late, I'm engrossed in the matter of the teacher in Westerly who has recently returned to work after a lengthy medical leave.
Had her hiatus been occasioned by a diabetic, coronary or ontological condition, I have no doubt that the blow-back against her return would have been more empathetic & humane...
As a parent of a child who was possessed of multiple developmental disabilities, I feel obliged to stand up for folks beset by mental illness, which is no more or less dangerous than other, less mysterious maladies.

07/05/2017

Hey Folks... every now & then, Facebook reminds me that ive been neglecting you. Sorry bout that...
Anyway, I'm returning to the mornings hereabouts in Westerly... follow me at my fb page (Mark Sullivan) and at Westerly & Beyond)
It's gonna be fun.

06/07/2017

Hello all...

Neda's dad here.

It's been seven years, two weeks & three days since we lost our little bug, and about six years since I retired the fund and donated it to a local philanthropy.

I never took the page down for the same reason I ended the endeavor born of her memory.
It was just too hard.

I got a note today from Facebook today, saying that some of you were asking where we went.

We're still here, and we're ok.
Thanks.