Remembering Sarah Akers, May 4, 2003

Hi, my name is Amy Hribal.  Fate brought Sarah & me together almost five years ago & we quickly developed a special bond.

Several months before we met, I had been diagnosed with fibromyalgia - an illness with such severe pain and stiffness in my muscles, tendons & ligaments that I envisioned a future in a wheelchair.  But then I set up an appointment with Sarah for massage therapy.  Sarah cared about me, wanted me to beat the illness and started massaging my stiff body.  Last summer, after four years and many hours of Sarah's healing massages, plus other therapies, I reached the point of remission from the illness.  During these years, I have talked with Elizabeth & Nancy & other clients of Sarah's, who were also amazed at her ability to help them deal with their pain - from conditions such as arthritis, multiple sclerosis, circulatory problems, fibromyalgia, injuries and so forth.

Sarah was like a sister to me.  During my massages with her - usually twice a week, she & I talked, laughed & shared our life experiences the entire time.  Several weeks after my 22-year old cat "Blossom" dies, she gave me a large, beautiful stuffed cat that resembled Blossom, which had been made by the Ty Beanie Baby Company.  She said to me "Now you can stop crying - cause you have another cat."  She & I were totally caught up in the wild Beanie Baby craze.  Sarah always made me laugh & I thank God for every precious moment we shared.

Sarah was a very caring, delightful & fascinating person with a zest for life & extraordinary grace.  She was fun-loving with a free spirit.  She was carefree but very caring & very generous.  She was beautiful - inside & out.  Sarah loved her husband, son, Mother, sisters, nieces, nephews, other family members & friends.  She was extremely spiritual & religious.  Her knowledge of the Bible was extensive.  She told me favorite stories of her childhood.  I remember she told me how she enjoyed Bible passages her Mother read and explained to her and the many songs they sang together.

I never heard Sarah say an unkind word about anyone.  As a person, she lived life to the fullest - with immense love, integrity, simplicity and stability.  She was loved very deeply and her loss leaves an enormous void in all of our lives.  I believe Sarah is now in Heaven.  I'll miss you Sarah - but my heart holds your spirit & wonderful memories.  And - Sarah, I will always love you.

~Used by permission