July 25, 1950 - April 14, 2004
A Celebration of Life - Saturday April 24, 2004, in Commemoration of Julie Greene.
A eulogy is meant to be spoken and heard - and only in that form may its full impact be realized. And in sacred space - wherever it may be found, or however created. However, in response to many requests, I offer a transcript of my words at this event, for the benefit of her friends afar:
It is difficult to sum a human life in a few words, especially the life of such a huge being - for to me Julie was akin to a force of nature - the weather perhaps - usually sunny and bright - but unpredictable. Tornadoes upon you before you can run and hide. Thunderstorms descending from unseen heights - unreasonable, uncompromising, violent - not malevolent - but 'energetic heedlessness of consequence'. Or lightning - flashing from some invisible and mysterious polarity.
Another side was an adorable child - sweet, tender, cuddly, helpless - craving physical affection - contact.
I was, of course - a mere mortal - inadequate to cope with these sometimes rapidly alternating urgencies. She told me so on many occasions.
What was constant was a tremendous energy - vitality - outgoing goodwill. But along with it an exquisite sensitivity - acute to the point of pain. I picture Julie naked in a blackberry patch, compelled to seek the fruit, unable to avoid the thorns.
I have known Julie for about 30 years - first as a young bride - slender and winsome, doing a madcap puppet comedy, 'Molly the Trolley', for young children. As a regular at gatherings of local puppeteers, her contagious enthusiasm brightened and inspired. When she became a new Trager practitioner, she enthusiastically invited me for a trial session.
In later years - after her divorce - we would occasionally collide - there's no other word for it. I hired her as assistant for a booking in Calgary, Canada. Then later we spent marvelous days together when we met by chance in Ketchican, Alaska.
But the time was never right for very long. We would talk on the phone every few years. And I would invite her somewhere, and she would decline. She later told me that I wouldn't have liked her during those years, since she didn't like herself. In truth I liked her well enough.
Five years ago, by another chance occurrence, I happened to awake earlier than usual, and heard Marshall Rosenberg's voice on the radio. I heard something very rare - not in the words themselves, but in the physical quality of his voice. I grabbed a pen, determined to find out more. At the end of the broadcast, Julie's number was given. When I called, Julie's voice had the same quality. We arranged to meet - and at last the time was right.
Julie was working part-time and doing NVC and Trager part-time - and was troubled and unfulfilled by her job at a narcotics-rehabilitation center. After the next Marshall event, which Julie co-ordinated and I helped her with - I realized that NVC was booming - or on the verge of a boom - and encouraged Julie to quit her job and do NVC full-time.
So BayNVC and Julie took off flying. My time with Julie - already scarce - became scarcer still. Julie was working 14-16 hour days, months on end, with hardly a letup. She complained of fatigue and exhaustion. My suggestions to take a break - a vacation - met the response that a 'vacation' would have no meaning. When I voiced my concerns about her obvious fatigue, and health, she would fall into helpless tears and say, 'I'll have to take care of it later when I have more time'.
She did say that she eventually wanted to 'retire' from the business part of BayNVC and live in the country and do retreats, and be with God.
And so - I imagine she got her wish - at least the half of it - and I imagine that God is well-pleased, and glad to have her home again.
And in the end - when the spell is broken - all anyone can say is that Life moves from mystery into mystery; all things are each in their appointed place, and we know not whether it be better here or there.
And that Love alone endures.
Please send your own personal rememberances, tributes, photos. They will be added to this page as they are received. - <bill@baynvc.org> Note: 'mail-to' feature has not been operational, and dropped mail without notice. If your message has not been posted, please resubmit.