Annie Raitt passed away peacefully with both her sons taking care of her on friday morning, December 21, 2007. She had idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.
I made this page after recieving hundreds of emails and not responding to any of them.
Mom had so many amazing, spiritually ecclectic friends from so many far away places that I thought that making a central place to help organize, connect and share our grief might be nice.
please leave a comment so that others may read it.
-bay
ps: here's a flickr set I'll be updating with pics of her.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/spiraloid/sets/72157603522731766/
pps: If you have photos you'de like added, just send to me at bay.raitt@gmail.com
35 comments:
Annie, we'll miss you so much. You taught us to cheer on the endevours that the people around me were trying their hardest at. I love you Annie. rest in peace.
Bay and Arlo,
Thank you for taking care of she who meant so much to us all. We all loved her. We'll all miss her. We're all happy that she left her spirit with you.
With great love and sorrow,
Cousin Fred
Hi Bay,
I only got to know Annie over the phone but every time we talked I went away with a smile on my face. What a joy she was to do business with!
Garry
Dear Bay and Arlo,
Thanks for taking such good care of our sister. She was so tremendously proud of you both ... I think I told you what she said about you when I talked to her last Wednesday night, but everyone should hear it: "They are the greatest blessing of my life and if there's anything good that's come out of all this, it's them."
Love,
Julie
Bay,
I only met your mom briefly, but I remember her joy and how proud she was of you. The photos you've been posting of her are so beautiful and really seem to really capture her essence. I see so much of her happiness and life in you, and I just wanted you to know that me and my whole family love you very much & wish you all the love and support we can give.
I met Annie over 33 years ago on a blind date while heading to a benefit dance at the Philo Grange. I fell in love first with her laughter. As Hippies in the 70’s she always had a hard time keeping track of her clothes, She’d start the day dressed and then end up at our yurt naked…. We soon became best friends, lovers and fellow communards. We married ourselves in front of a pine tree near the entrance to the Mendocino National forrest. We grew our Yurt Design business both here and in Australia. She was the proud mother to our two sons Bay and Arlo. Annie was an anchor, and a spiritual leader and loving mother as well as pillar of strength and a visionary in our community. She stood up for her beliefs and was the most courageous and determined person I have ever known.
I use to refer to her lovingly as the Blade or “Rebar Annie” She could moved mountains of red tape and overcome what seems at times impossible odds to achieve her goals. A true force of nature…. She was the the Ford Street project president , Spokes person for United Stand, which forged a new building classification for owner builders. Vice Pesident of California Yurts inc. Annie was one of the most creative round house designers on the planet. She designed and drafted over 3 decades on several continents countless wonderful round homes for many happy Yurt Dwellers,schools, religious retreats and healing centers.
As a Mother she always would read to our two boys each night and spend many a night playing scrabble or Boggle or cards as the option to T.V. She loved to read and she has given that gift to our Boys by her example. She liked to sing in the local choir and loved her Church. She presided over many of our closet friends weddings as a minister as well as at several funerals. Now here we all are gathered here to honor her life. She has touched all of us in her kind and heart felt way. Annie you made a difference in our lives and we will carry you in our hearts forever. I will miss you , my soul mate, I love you…… david
To Bay, Arlo, David and close family members:
Your mom was so powerful that her energy usurped me from a very dangerous situation in New York to Ukiah. She took me in and pretty much love-bullied me into a more functional existence. This was all relatively recently....in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Here's the thing: She was SO powerful, at times I retreated and hid. We had this very complicated but stunning connection, as I'm sure so many did with her.
When it came right down to it, Annie and I always ALWAYS worked out our differences with love, and the love between us grew even more powerful than the both of us because of it.
She was so proud of me when I went from bag-lady material to successful journalist. More so than my own family, my own parents.
If anyone else is like me in all this -- still struggling with the bummerly part, then my heart goes out to you. Some of us will probably need to be very human about this and just feel the feelings for as long as it takes. Personally, I'm angry that I won't get to hear Annie laugh again (at least for a while.) I'm also aware that she's still teaching us as from some different dimension. She's like a scout who rides out into the wilderness first to check things out for the other pioneers.
I am flooded with so many images and memories. It's rich, confusing and chaotic.
Scrabble, classical music, the white van, the snazzy cruiser, her paintings and drawings, her TREATMENTS (wow), merlot, NO DOGS, how she could sense ghosts for real.....
When she came to visit me in Chinatown in Brooklyn at first she was grossed out by the smells. The we began to walk and she got this huge grin on her face..She "got it" ....all the storefronts filled with color and food, the chatter on the streets, the sheer density of people. It became exciting and beautiful to her, as it was to me. It was great having a hip, urban -- and magical -- Chinatown experience with Annie. She may have had her preferences (all of us do) but when it came right down to it she was an adventure-ess.
And her courage was like a force of nature.
When Eddie (Larkie) was in deepest doo doo with the law in Arizona, she drove to Phoenix to be with me/us. She witnessed the miracle that happened there, and helped Larkie when he got released from jail in an extremely powerful way. He had absorbed the negative energies there and was shaking and incoherent, but she love-bullied him back to reality. The trip to Arizona to help us, wasn't just a kind gesture. It was a great gesture.
Thanks for the blog. I didn't realize how much I needed it until now. I think I'll need it again as we get through this all.
Love, Linda Bryant/Tigerlily from the Spirit Web community.
Nashville, Tenn.
PS A special, special hug and heart-song for you Arlo, from both Larkie and me. WE LOVE YOU!
Being a regular at the Raitt complex Anne made me feel as if I was part of the family. Her generosity with her love and her home made me feel right at home. My love is with Bay and Arlo and David and everyone who loved Annie deeply and all those she loved. I will miss her.
Calvin
I never spoke with Annie, nor did I meet her in life, but I HAVE spoken with about fifty people who all described her caring, loving, brilliant, exuberant, wonderful friendship and who will miss her terribly. Clearly Annie was a very special woman who truly touched hundreds of people with her light. I am amazed at how beloved she was to so many people. Blessings,
Joan
I love you annie ... your playful spirit will live as one of the brightest memories in my life. blessings and rest in peace sweet sister.
Annie Sophia
'tis fitting I find
that u've passed on
beyond,
whilst chatting online,
And I wish, as you're gone..
To tell u how truly
u lifted my life,
like some cybery-siren,
or an e-mailing wife,
We trod 1n's n' 0's
knowing what's done is Donne;
now quantumly u've leapt,
forever
and anon.
..."Here and Now"
now... and gone,
can it be Earth has lost you
like the dew at the dawn?
Like the geese at the pond
taking flight for the morrow,
though I'm sick at the sight,
in my heart
there is sorrow..
.. a beggar at a banquet,
and knowing your love,
you'd greet such with smiles
like the wings to a dove
or flippers to dolphins
who rise on the waves
and mock with their smiles
the sourness of the grave
~Harmony
Next time I am in New Zealand, I will plant a tree in memory of your Mum, Friend, Loved One, it was where we thought to meet up oneday, the scenic South Island of course! Her sons she spoke proudly of, her rapport with their Dad, the yurts which I knew of here in Australia, her humour and sense of fun, where have the years flown!...blessings and hugs to You, her adored Family
Rosey
annie we agreed to disagree on so many things so lets agree on this i wont miss you if you fly away
Annie,
I know you're reading all these blogs, so I'm addressing you directly. As one of the spiritweb community, I got to know you in a way that I don't think we usually ken one another face to face. We had a long, special relationship from the mid '90's to present. Speaking with you on the phone just before Christmas was a very special blessing!
We did a lot of online work together. Your gift to me was lifting me into understanding more of who I am and encouraging my confidence in my gifts and abilities. My gratitude for that is boundless. For your own part, you were often 'pushed' by the "assignment" you'd come into life to accomplish and nothing - not even yourself - got in the way of that.
I don't know what your next 'assignment' is, but if you take it on before I pass and we cross paths again, give me a wink so I'll know its you!
Love,
Terri/Lightdreamer
Dear Bay and Arlo,
I remember my cousin Harriet fondly. I see her brilliant smile and sense of fun, and felt that she had a lively, open spirit. I hope that by holding your family in my heart it can ease your pain.
What a wonderful gift of care you gave her.
Cousin jane
I would have never believed that she could be gone so soon. The last time I spent time with her was just a year ago. Her mischievious and joyful energy as well as her sharp wit made me feel as if I was with a person that would live forever. I'm sure she will live forever in the hearts of all she touched. Condolences to the family I know she will be dearly missed.
Dear Bay and Arlo,
It is not often that we meet someone who immedately becomes part of the family. But it was just like that with your mom.
I met Annie about 4 years ago in my office, over business. When she commented that she wanted me to help her claim refugee status if GW Bush was elected again, I laughed out loud and told her "You have to meet my husband!" I knew they would hit it off and I knew I already liked her. Now, we feel like we have known her forever.
We will miss what we feel like is already a tradition - celebrating Canadian Thanksgiving here with Annie. She even came to admit liking a dog - our late Monty. I will miss our "business meetings" at the Blue Ox. Brian and I will miss our long conversations with her over wine (lots of wine!) during which we all solved the problems of the world, and Brian and I learned so much about her fascinating life (and a bit about yours!).
She was a wonderful friend and will be dearly missed.
With sincere sympathies,
Leanne & Brian
Dear Bay and Arlo. My heart was touched when I heard how you took care of your mother when her illness got worse. I was so glad to know had children who cared that much. I knew your mother only a short time but was amazed at her energy, light and enthusiasm. She always hugged me so warmly and authentically! I was impressed with her joy. I regret having such a short time to be in her presence but I am glad I had the time I had. Your family is in my prayers and Annie is in my heart for always.
Annie said this was a favorite poem of hers .."A Valediction Forbidding Mourning" by John Donne
AS virtuous men pass mildly away,
And whisper to their souls to go,
Whilst some of their sad friends do say,
“Now his breath goes,” and some say, “No.”
So let us melt, and make no noise,
No tear-floods, nor sigh-tempests move ;
‘Twere profanation of our joys
To tell the laity our love.
Moving of th’ earth brings harms and fears ;
Men reckon what it did, and meant ;
But trepidation of the spheres,
Though greater far, is innocent.
Dull sublunary lovers’ love
—Whose soul is sense—cannot admit
Of absence, ’cause it doth remove
The thing which elemented it.
But we by a love so much refined,
That ourselves know not what it is,
Inter-assurèd of the mind,
Care less, eyes, lips and hands to miss.
Our two souls therefore, which are one,
Though I must go, endure not yet
A breach, but an expansion,
Like gold to aery thinness beat.
If they be two, they are two so
As stiff twin compasses are two ;
Thy soul, the fix’d foot, makes no show
To move, but doth, if th’ other do.
And though it in the centre sit,
Yet, when the other far doth roam,
It leans, and hearkens after it,
And grows erect, as that comes home.
Such wilt thou be to me, who must,
Like th’ other foot, obliquely run ;
Thy firmness makes my circle just,
And makes me end where I begun.
Bay and Arlo,
I remember the first time I met your mother. She was one of the last few that I was to meet in the large Perkins clan. Imagine having to learn the name of 9 brothers/sisters-in-law and the associated spouses and children! As someone new to the family, she was loving, friendly and welcomed me with open arms. I loved her spirit! How lucky I have been to have known your mother as a sister-in-law and friend. She will be missed terribly. Mike and I will always remember her. Our thoughts are with you. Love to you both, Vanessa
Dear Arlo and Bay,
We are still in shock. Your mother was such a special lady . . . so full of vitality.
We first met her (as Sophia) online in Spirit Web Chat . . . but shared several visits in each other's homes.
She was family -- of the spirit, not of blood -- but family none the less.
Of course we did have to "search her" after her visits to us in Monterey in order to make sure that she hadn't "catnapped" our George cat (as she often threatened to do).
The laughs we shared; the quiet moments of reflection; the Scrabble games; the shared pain for so much of the world; the discussions of Spirit; more laughter; and so much more.
We were looking forward to her visiting us in our new home in Canada . . . and now will only get to see her here in our hearts.
Annie will continue to be missed by us . . . by all of us . . . but her love still shines on us, on all of us.
-- Lani & Bluebear
Dearest Ones,
I have no words to express the loss we feel for Sophia's passing. I met her online in Rainbow Mountain Chat. Her 'energy' was always that of good humor and love. She is but a few 'steps' ahead of each of us, now. From the sparkling smiles I see in her photos, she is no doubt still smiling as she leads the way.
Love and strength to each of her loved ones.
LeLe
Bay & Arlo:
Brothers, I remember many great things in my life from time to time but there are few things that come up on a regular basis. Your mom was one of them. You see I pass by her old house on Dora St. everyday. When I do, I think about the same thing that I thought many years ago when she lived there, when Arlo lived with her, when Bay would visit from his adventures abroad...I think as I drive by, "I should stop by...see what's up." I hated the driveway. But, I have fond memories of that place but more the people who lived, visited and stayed there because of your mom.
I remember when I first met her. As Bay and Arlo's mom, she was the mother of two of my greatest friends. I remember thinking that she didn't like me at first. I would soon find out that was entirely untrue. I would spend days and sometimes weeks at a time at the house in Mill Creek, completely invited and welcomed. It was a haven from the world. Dave and Annie made a huge effect on my life forever.
Some years back, I saw Annie and greeted her as we always did, hugs and her bantering of my nickname "Mikey" (if I were to spell it phonetically it would look like this - MmmmmMy-Kee).
Annie - nobody calls me "Mikey" like you did. Thanks for covering for my mom all those years...thanks for making me feel welcome. See ya soon, kiddo.
Annie has been a part of my life, most likely for lifetimes before this one, but most recently, since 1972, when we met in Berkeley at St. George Homes, where our days were committed to holding together the lives of teenagers walking the delicate edge of sanity. In those days when we were so young we were often doing the same, learning from each other the ways of the spiritual path.
I’m responsible for bringing Annie to Mendocino County. I piled her into my VW bug one wintry day in 1973 and dragged her up 101 and onto the dreadfully muddy road to Greenfield Ranch, to introduce her to my new love, the land ... and she, too, fell in love, and followed me out of the city. For a while we lived together there -- held each other’s hands while Bay and Willow were being born, both nursed them both as if they were our common children, raised them like brothers when they were tiny, tiny boys....
Annie, you were there for me through more life transitions than I can even remember. Your spirit, your certainty, your laughter, your throwing details to the wind, carried me through.
I miss you greatly, my soul sister. I love you.
Susan (na)
Dear Bay and Arlo, When I heard in advance that your Mom was going to be attending some place where I was going to be, my heart took a little dance. For each time I saw her, she lit up.... yes, like a Christmas tree. A light so bright. Her spirit and essence remained with me long after her embrace. I shall always hold the exquisite memory of the joy that danced in her eyes, her hearty laugh and her amazing warmth and caring.
I will miss her.
Love, Francie Hogle Kelley
Hey Bay and Arlo,
I hardly knew your ma, but I was at your birth, Arlo, with Lynn M. and I think Liz was there,too, but can't really remember anymore.
I love how you love your mom...thank you for taking care of Annie. That is the greatest gift you could have given her.
With much love and respect,
Rebecca -
ex Ukiah midwife...now in Montana...if you are ever in Livingston, you have a home in the woods.
Dear Bay, Arlo, David, Family and Friends –
I have lived a life blessed with a sisterhood of strong, positive women: mentors, mothers, sisters, friends. Some have a deep involvement in my life, our paths connected with a feeling of striding arm in arm to meet the world. Others with paths that intersect with mine from time to time; no less powerful or treasured – feeling like a dance as we each follow the sway and flow of the rhythm of our journeys. Annie was a dancer in my life.
I have loved reading the words of so many who knew and loved her. There was so much of who she was and what she did that I did not know. And that gave me pause at first, and then the gift of invocation – calling up the memories and moments that we shared and how she touched my life.
In light of what a dynamic, powerful force she was in this life, I was at first surprised to find that my feeling of our friendship rests in my heart so quietly and gently.
I met Annie in the late 70’s when we both worked for Mendocino County Public Health. Certainly it was a dynamic time, and the social issues were many – yet my memories serve up a feast of gentle conversations over the years about motherhood, Bay and Shosha, and later Arlo. The joys as well as the trials and tribulations of that journey – balanced with laughter. Our dreams of the place we would build for ourselves in this world as women.
I remember a WIC clinic we had that I had brought Shosha to. We came in through the staff break room where, having spied the coke machine, Shosha went into throes of ecstasy over the possibility of having one. It sent Annie and me into such a fit of giggles that we (the ladies who encouraged nutritional yeast on popcorn as a healthy snack) could not make eye contact for the remainder of the clinic. I remember Christmas caroling, ridge top celebrations to the music of Hansen & Raitt, and most of all the timelessness of our relationship.
In hindsight, I realize that we kept in touch as much through our mutual friendships with others, as we did through our own interactions. Yet there was never a feeling of being disconnected – we never promised to keep in touch, never corresponded and each time our lives reconnected the passage of time was marked only by our surprise that it had been 2 years, 4 years (“Oh my god, has it been that long?”)
Annie’s gifts to me were honesty, sincerity, love, acceptance and the art of giving the “perfect welcoming hug” – one that always embodied the true meaning of an embrace – so pure and present in that moment, communicating support and joy at our meeting.
I cannot imagine what each of you are feeling and going through at this moment – but I would have you each know that I am “more” for having known her. Annie will always live in my heart and the thread she wove in the fabric of my life.
My love to you all. Please let me know if there is anything I can do for you.
Lea
Annie, you are still loved coast to coast. It does not seem as it it can be 13 years since we took classes together at the Celebration Center of Religious Science in Virginia. Your smile never changes.
In Peace,
Ed Preston, RScP
My dear dear friend Annie,
Since I met you in 1975 you have been as constant as our trips around the Sun... At points, even when we didn't talk for months sometimes, when one of us would call the other, it was as though no time had passed...no beat missed.
Although I will not 'see' you again in this form this time, I feel your presence with me...perhaps in some strange way even more so now because I don't need the telephone to be in touch. I feel you whenever I want...right here, palpable, the sound of your voice, your inflection, in my minds 'ear'...unmistakable. Your joyfully expressive, thoughtful way of communicating...unmistakable...still. Such great love you hold...
I am changed for the better knowing you Annie, and deeply grateful for that...and for knowing you understand and hold so well the eternal connection we all share...and knowing that you knew this so well and so clearly before you left the 'building.' As you know this is the reason I asked you three years ago, after James died, to be there for Mike should I not return from one of my trips...I knew you held this understanding and could help him connect with this Truth.
And then...December 16, seemingly out of the blue, you called and asked me to be there for Arlo and Bay when you 'left.' Of course, I was honoured. And then...just six short days later...you left! How ironic it is, this life.
I am eternally grateful to David for the gift of meeting you. I am honoured and blessed to know you Annie...to have shared this brief time with you here...and to be in the lives of David, and Arlo and Bay, your two truly amazing sons.
I love you,
Allan
Wow! where do I begin?...I guess shock and sorrow for the loss of my friend in this realm! disappointment at myself for not staying in touch better. As for my dear friend Sophia/Annie, I will truly miss you! I know you didn't realize how much you meant to me...as a friend and fellow Spirit. I can't express how much the times I spent with you and those things we did together. All the countless hours in SWC. Meditating that first morn at Beam's end! When you showed Bonnie my SCAR!!! The Graciousness of your Heart and all the Love you shared with a true Genuine unselfish attitude. Scrabble and so much more! I doubt you know how deeply I felt for you but, that's okay. It just made your friendship that much more Precious! Dear friend, I will miss you Terribly! I will Look for you in the cosmos because I know that you are dwelling there, free of your earthly body and enjoying the freedom of being a Spiritual being now! I invite you to visit me dear friend, let me know you are still at play! I will miss your laughter most of all along with that Gorgeous Smile of yours! Be well dear one! I pray for you to be at peace and that you know you are still Loved and in our hearts! To David, Bay, and Arlo and even Bonnie... My deepest and most heartfelt sympathy goes out to you in your time of mourning. A gentle Hug and much Love to all of you! I pray that you will take comfort in knowing how much Annie made a difference then and even now. She was Quite the Lady! Rest Well Annie! I'll See you in the everafter! May God's Golden/White Light be your Path! Your friend, Gandy! aka Scott
hi annie i just stopped by to tell you how much i love you
Hey internet, we wish everyone who knew Annie a happy holiday season. awakening has value. Annies laughter and strength is all around us.
Hey internet, we wish everyone who knew Annie a happy holiday season. awakening has value. Annies laughter and strength is all around us.
It still feels like there is a hole in this world where Annie lived - Sophia/Annie is still missed and much loved and still living and much loved in our hearts. Love and huggles from Lani & Jeff
It has been a bit of time since Annie left. My wife and I were her neighbours in Lumby. She was always smiling and had a kind word for eveyone. We would look after Mr. Squeek when she went south. I hope her cat is still alive, he was agreat cat! And Annie was an even better person. Always enjoyed speaking with her. She has been missed by us, as my wife and I will sometimes say" that would be just like Annie". She is still thought about up here in Canada, we miss you Annie.
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