It was only two and a half weeks ago that I posted "Farewell to our friend", Kirsten Dahlen. It is with deepest regret that I now share the news that Kirsten passed away unexpectedly in her sleep yesterday. As you can imagine, her family and friends are devastated.
Some of you got to know Kirsten through my blog and became faithful followers of her 'Traveling Turtle Girl' blog. Kirsten was a dedicated Park employee and passionate about her work. We were so lucky to see the Gulf Islands National Seashore through her eyes with her beautiful photographs of shore birds and sea turtles on Santa Rosa Island.
A quote on her blog says so much about Kirsten spirit. It reads,
"I would rather be ashes than dust! I would rather that my spark should burn out in a brilliant blaze than it should be stifled by dry-rot. I would rather be a superb meteor, every atom of me in magnificent glow, than a sleepy and permanent planet. The function of man is to live, not to exist. I shall not waste my days trying to prolong them. I shall use my time."
~~ Jack London
Kirsten's family are suffering a great loss and while we want to respect their privacy during this devastating time, you may send condolences to her family through her brother-in-law, Tom Freeman at Tom.Freeland@Duke.edu. I think it is important to let them to know how Kirsten touched the lives of others in a very special way.
Posts
6 comments:
This sucks. I'm really going to miss her words and pictures.
I had the honor of talking with her on the phone a few times over the Summer and she would share picture via email with my children and I. We are so sad to hear this news and will miss her blogs and pictures so very much!!!!
A sad loss.
Kirsten achieved, in her one year with the National Park
Service, far more than many educators achieve in a lifetime. Her impact will be felt forever.
Kirsten showed us how to smooth over the footprints in the sand to help the tiny baby sea turtles make it to the water more easily, saving their energy for the long swim/journey ahead. Who will smooth the footprints she left on our hearts?
Kirsten, we love you...you have changed our lives through your passion and we will never forget you.
xoxox <3 Zander and Rhonda Litwin
At the end of September, I spent a week working in Pensacola and was fortunate enough to stay at Pensacola Beach. When I returned home to Tennessee, I searched for blogs about Pensacola Beach just so I could still maintain some sort of connection. That is how I found this blog (and through you, Kirsten's).
I am shocked by what has happened but I am also appreciative that we all have had this window into her life and were able to see the great impact she made, not only in Pensacola Beach,but wherever she traveled and worked.
Post a Comment