RIP, Jerry Sternin

Jerry Sternin left us last week. He was my friend, teacher, mentor, father, advisor, guidance counselor, match-maker, and most of all, a good human being. My time at Tufts would have been a lot different without Jerry and his sense of humour. Heavens, I might have taken life seriously! 

In the following weeks, months and years, there will emerge a plethora of stories about how "jerry was amazing to do this" and "Only a good soul like Jerry would have done that", and more. It's already emerging: http://discussionleader.hbsp.com/hbreditors/2008/12/jerry_sternin_an_appreciation.html All the brilliant facets of this diamond named Jerry will show themselves gradually, as was his style! On a related note, it makes me wonder that if the good people leave early, then this world is going to go to the dogs pretty soon.

I read the following at his memorial service:

Jaatasyahi Dhruvo Mrityuhu Dhruvam Janma Mritasya Cha
Tasmad Apariharyerthe Natwam Shochitum Arhasi

It's from Chapter 2 of the Bhagavad Gita, Verse 27. 

It translates into: 

For one who has taken his birth, death is certain; and for one who is dead, birth is certain. Therefore, in the unavoidable discharge of your duty, you should not lament.

We are awaiting your next incarnation, Jerry! 

Jerry, however, would have liked to have Lex to read this out aloud: 

“Life is not a journey to the grave with intentions of arriving safely in a pretty well-preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out and loudly proclaiming ... WOW! What a ride!”

Now, that's more like his style! :)

Jerry turns 70

I have come to the conclusion that I am a closet superhero, so closeted that it hasn't even dawned on me that I can leap tall buildings in one bound ("it's called an elevator, dumbass!")!! To put it simply, i have a superhero inside of me, struggling to come out. My roommates, looking at my ever increasing "size", have affectionately titled the superhero, "The Incredible Bulk".
One of my good friends and mentors, Jerry (one half of the Monique and Jerry fame) turned 70 over the weekend. Monique planned and organized a whole bunch of surprises for him, all cloaked within the seemingly simple dinner that was held to celebrate the occasion. Friends flew in from Amman (Jordan), drove in from Philly, took the train from Brookline, etc; friends from his childhood days, his Peace Corps days, his Save the Children days, and also his current PD days came together under one roof to celebrate 'The Jerry'. Songs were sung, Jerry Jeopardy was organized, poems (full of jerry-esque bad puns) were composed and recited, Jerry stories were recounted, and Sam and Bob canoed into the lake and floated 70 candles in his honour. Bob, Monique and I put together a "Life of Jerry Sternin" movie, based on photographs from all stages of his life, childhood to present. We called it "Ghost of Jerry Past, Jerry Present, and Jerry Future..." And I squeezed all this in during Lo's visit (a lovely weekend which will be told through partly through the 600 pictures she took during her Northeast trip...Hmmm...) And also sneaked in some some data analysis. My point exactly. Superhero. Bulk.