Brooke A Trent

3 Years ! Swift, yet at times, painfully long. I don't know if you're listening when I speak to you - it is said that consciousness, like space-time, has its own intrinsic freedom. Is consciousness part of the physical world - like gravity? If so, it would pervade the universe just like gravity. If so, how totally fabulous for you. Are you now a wave of energy? I'm certain you're not just hanging around listening and reading these interludes with me. So you're likely part of the vast universe and maybe all knowing, all seeing, all being. In that case, you do know when I reach out. I think, YES, you are there in a form of existence we humans can't imagine because we don't have the language and understanding - we don't know what we can't know. Scientists can't agree on what is consciousness. I can't hold this as "a self-evident truth", but I can take comfort in my formulation of our relationship - after all, it's mine and so I can do what I want with it ! Your toothbrush is still in place waiting for you but I secretly do know you won't be back to use it - I doubt you have cavities where you are, I doubt you have teeth. What I do know is that it was a joyous ride - our 30 years were packed with big ideas and big thoughts and I also know we taught each other how to live better lives. Thank you for the time we had together.....

So the start of year three has begun. I'm getting used to some of it, but you left a gaping hole in the lives of so many of us - me in particular of course. Your 'Blue" friends call me, they want to talk to you about what's going on in the world. I try to offer any wisdom I gleaned from my 30 years with you. They tell me they miss you and miss hearing what you have to say about this or that. I think, yeah, I know that one and yes, me too. Still haven't removed your toothbrush - it's exactly where you left it when you thought you'd return to this beach. The lilies you loved did their spectacular appearance this July. The Montauk Daisies are filling up on sunlight getting ready for their September appearance - though they must be waiting for you because they hold off until October and then they can wait no longer and burst out wild and serve up for Ontario St. the most spectacular show to be found out here during their time. The sun is now setting on me and our garden so it's time to go inside and try to fill my evening without you. Some of our friends have joined you, if you're not too busy, I hope you welcome them to your side of town. Loving you always and in all ways.

Brooke and I were college classmates and shared the jobs of leadership roles in Student government. We were a great team made most effective by her integrity and wisdom. I admired her and valued our friendship
Senior year we were both working on honors the sides while doing our jobs in Student.government and we´re concerned that we could not get it all completed... so Miss Russell suggested that Brooke and I stay in the president´s house over spring vacation and support each other. So we did and we graduated.
Brooke was a great person, bright, a true friend and lots of
fun! Bless her and love to all of you other friends.

We miss you, Brooke! You were one of the very brightest people I ever knew.

Your friendship and caring are missed. I hope that somehow your path crosses with that of your dear friend, Janis.

A year, since August 15th, has come and gone and at times it feels like you're on a trip and will be returning any day now. If you could, you would find your toothbrush right where you left it and just about everything else in place. There's a comfort in the sameness, keeping your things waiting for you. You would tell me to move on but you don't know how much you enriched my life, what you taught me, how you made my life so much better, how you opened my consciousness to the needy, the abused, the oppressed, most of all you don't know what it was like to live with you. So how do I move on from that - to what? Well maybe someday I will be able to let someone in, right now it feels like it would be too crowded; I still reach for you in bed, I find an empty pillow, the sheets are cold, I ask where are you? People tell you're watching over me, I suspect if that were possible, you're watching over those you watched over your entire life. I imagine you would say, Karen, I left you strong, now I have to continue my work, albeit on a different plane because there's evil in the world, prejudice reigns in too many places, there are hungry or abused children. And if you can impact those conditions, I know that's where your focus is. I hope you can continue to influence and help. Your life was so huge I knew I was only borrowing you for my 30 years; I was shocked when it ended, it was just too soon, but when is enough? There is never enough. Unbelievably, I survived this past year without you and I now know I can continue but oh how so lonely it is without you. I know you're somewhere in some form helping somehow, don't take time away from them to help me, you built on my foundation and I'm stronger and better as a result. Love you dear Brookie.

May the memories of Brooke's remarkable life be a blessing and comfort to you. Sending you my deepest condolences for your great loss.

Brooke and I were very close friends at Smith College where we were leaders in Student Government and together made things happen. She influenced me to take risks and be a better leader. I helped her to get her thesis done in time to graduate!
I loved and admired her and still do. Love to you, Karen.

What an extraordinary woman. You are as well and our hearts go out to you.

I loved, admired and respected Brooke. She was truly dedicated to helping those who needed it most. She was funny, smart and always concerned about the way in which our country was being directed.
She will be greatly missed.

I had no idea Brooke had such a long, distinguished career in public service. I have such respect for this. I remember her as a smiling, energetic, interesting fellow inhabitant of our favorite island. I send my thoughts and sympathy to Karen and all of her Family. She will be greatly missed.

I was one of her Campers at Camp Cayuga when she was
called BROOKLYN. At my current age of 81 I truly believe
She impacted my life, I continue to work in the Human Services field.

Brooke was our winter neighbor in Florida. We got to know Brooke the last couple of years while she was fighting some very extreme health issues. Talking with Brooke we got to hear just a few of her past exploits. We sure wish we had more time to hear more. The feisty woman she was still showed in the end as her and Karen fought her health issues together. I know that we have only known you a very small fraction of your extraordinary life. But we consider ourselves very fortunate to have at least had that short time.