becoming a self in history, becoming a self in my street
Cherie Randall
This is a picture of Cherie. On the 12th June 2009 she died by her own
hand. I got to hear about her life and death because my friend Patricia had been connected with her through
teaching her movement in a class she attended. These movement classes had meant a great deal to Cherie.
Through this connection she was asked to facilitate her funeral. Cherie had suffered from depression for many
years.
In preparation for the funeral, she met with Cherie’s siblings and shared with them a great deal
about Cherie at this significant moment. The eulogy spoke of how Cherie remains present for us after her
death; how she can be included into our lives through our consistent love and awareness, and how the pain of
her loss would be not only an end but also a beginning as people try to understand Cherie more deeply, as
they carry her memory and the question left by her death into their lives. The death of their sister had a
profound effect on everyone. Cherie's sister described her longing and commitment to truth now. Her brother
felt the same and said that through allowing his vulnerability, more and more people were equally open with
him about how they really felt. Cherie's life and sudden death has made barriers tumble down. This creates
space for a more authentic relationship with themselves and the world for those who care about her. There is
now a sense of future as well as of pain.