Live Your Dream! By Bruce and Sarah

This true story really comes from both of us (Bruce and Sarah).

One story Bruce often tells is about one summer when Kolu and her friend Jen came to visit us.  I think they were rising High School freshmen or sophomores.  On the way to Busch Gardens for a fun day, Kolu told him of a middle school assignment she and another student had been given.  They were to design a ‘dream’ house that they would like to own and live in one day.

Well, as far as I know, no one has ever accused Kolu of not being creative – she and her fellow student came up with a house worthy of a magnificent estate.  But it might as well have been made of cotton candy, because that teacher rained all over it!  It was “impossible, impractical, for kids [like them] to think that they could ever bring something like that into being, etc.” Bruce was dumbstruck (but not speechless y’all).  Fresh from reading some Robert Schuller books, he immediately began acquainting those girls with ‘possibility thinking’.  He encouraged them, warned that the teacher might have unwittingly stunted their individual creativity; that letting her be their guide might put unnecessary limits on their lives and the ability to identify and realize their dreams—something they needed to recognize and defend themselves against now and always.

We enjoyed watching the adult Kolu design, go after and live out one dream after another.  Never had we seen her happier than after she met Zach and began her life with him.  We loved seeing (and reading her blogs about) her building that dream farm.  She reared two beautiful, loving kids into young adults and helped them identify and go after their own dreams.  I am proud of her Mom who is so committed to helping protect and ensure that those dreams will continue.  We observed Kolu meet every challenge and saw her work so hard to bring forth bounty from their pretty piece of land with its animals, sheds and trees.  Their home built some wonderful memories as our little grandchildren and grand-nieces and -nephews came out to learn and play at the farm that offered a constant breeze even on the hottest days.  Their inside living room was small (especially as dear, rambunctious puppies helped fill it) but charming and receptive—while her outside living room was expansive, restful and full of grace.  Family and friends who gathered there felt her presence so keenly while mourning our loss of her.

We struggle against her life being cut short but we cannot say that she was unfulfilled.  She went after her dreams, claimed them, and over and over again, she won them.  Good living, Kolu!  Way to go, girl!  May all of us exit while still living our dreams – burning out, not rusting out!!!!

We love you and will follow your example as we strive to claim our dreams.  Every time we win one, along with thanking God, we will think of you – with great affection and admiration, but most of all, with love.  What a great, inspiring spirit is your unique soul.  Those who know you have been blessed.

Photos from Rachel

Rachel Sulin was kind enough to share some of her favorite photos of Kolu. Thank you, Rachel!

Rachel and Kolu at the farm

Kolu and Zach adopting Emi and Glen

Thinking of Kolu, by Katie

When I think of Kolu, the picture that most readily pops into my head is her entertaining me at g'ma and g'pa's house when I was probably 4 or so.  Susie, Carrie, and Maggie always went to do their own thing, so Kolu was stuck entertaining me.  I would play with her 'boing boing' hair, listen to her practice the piano, and sing songs with her.  She would sing the ABC's and right after the 'next time won't you sing with me', start right back up with the song again, even if I had been singing with her that time.  I remember feeling protective every time she and dad would have debates.  I always assumed he was picking on her and would yell at him to quit it.

I have so many memories that I want to share, but every story ends by describing her as an amazing, kind, funny, beautiful, and strong woman.  I hope to live my life with as much strength, grace, and humor as she has.

- by Katie Walkley, Kolu's cousin

Road trip to Denver, by Carrie

My most cherished time with Kolu is also the most recent. After living in DC for 15 years, I decided to move to Denver. Kolu volunteered to make the drive across country with me, even though it was not that long after her surgery. We spent 3 days in the car, talking, reminiscing, planning, and dreaming. Each night, we'd have an amazing dinner - Columbus OH, Kansas City, and finally Denver. Along the way, we saw a lot of the countryside - old barns, wind farms - and some bad drivers. We ended up at the same gas station as someone we had been following. Kolu took that opportunity to tell her she was the worst driver she'd ever seen. She was so excited to be able to actually tell someone what she thought of their driving.

Almost exactly halfway through the trip was a solar eclipse. Solar eclipses are symbolic of new beginnings. That evening, we wrote a list of what we wanted to leave behind as we embarked on our new beginnings. As we crossed into Colorado, we tore up our lists and threw them out the window.

After our first dinner in Denver, Kolu realized that her engagement ring was missing. She was inconsolably upset that she had lost a precious gift from him. She wanted to tell Zach right away. I was sure it would turn up and thought she should wait until we looked everywhere. But she couldn't stand the thought of keeping something so important from him even for a little while. He was very understanding and she was so relieved.

That was a very special trip. I am so grateful I had that time with her.

Love,
Carrie

- by Carolyn Walkley, Kolu's cousin

A random assortment of thoughts, by Susan

Kolu was like a sister to me. Growing up, we saw her just about every weekend. There were many Sundays at our grandparents with board games, popcorn, and Murder She Wrote. When Maggie and Kolu came to visit, Carrie and Maggie would often do their own thing, and Kolu and I would hang out. Kolu was about 4 years older than me, so I felt very privileged to be hanging out with her! That also meant she could drive me around places as we got older, and I remember a fun drive home from the Pike Fair Tractor Pull one year.

I remember one summer she spent with us helping my dad on the farm. I don't remember a lot from that summer, but I do remember one time when we were walking home from town with Kolu and my dad pulled up in his truck and yelled at us for walking on the wrong side of the road. We, of course, blamed that on Kolu (we had to - she was our parents' favorite kid that summer lol). But I'm sure it was our fault just as much. And one day Carrie and I decided to prank Kolu and convinced her there was a spider in her hair. You can imagine her reaction!

I remember Peace Child concerts, Gleason Circle, swimming at grandma and grandpa's, Kolu's School of the Arts graduation, and eating at Spaghetti Factory afterwards. Her voice was always such a gift to hear.

We didn't keep in contact as much when she moved to North Carolina, except by email, but she did bring Emmon and Allasha to visit us on the farm, and we visited her a couple of times. But when we were together, it was like no time at all had passed.

She was the family photographer and family Thanksgiving Day coordinator. I hosted Thanksgiving at my house one year when Ethan was about 10 months old, and she was MORE than happy to take over preparations. :)

We only visited her farm once, but I'm so glad we did. My kids have such fond memories of hunting for chicken eggs, playing with Owen, and swinging on her tire swing.

She will be missed more than I can describe with words. But I have such warm loving memories of her. She will be in my heart forever.

- by Susan Menkes, Kolu's cousin