Ode To The Tamarackers:
Young Co-Worker Tom LaPorte
Bids Farewell to His House Community
It’s time for me to say my good-byes, but not without an obviously due moment of recognition. I was asked a few times in my waning days in the village, who will it be difficult to live apart from? Who will be my missing link, post-Camphill? I began to make a mental gathering of my moments, what stood out. Most of my moments belonged to my house, Tamarack. This was my life here, my people, my home. An ode to the Tamarackers.
Kerst. I guess I don’t have to tell you, Kerst and I saw a lot of each other. When your housefather (excuse the term!) is also your full-time work-master and neighborhood steward, he remains in your vision. My sight was very informative. Let me give you a parable. Kerst is a locomotive; metal-solid, well-constructed, full-speed ahead. He is punctual, arriving at the station on time. He is poised, keeping the tracks greased, he stays on course. He never wavers or goes astray, but is ready to shift gears or change tracks when life’s locomotion calls for it. I’ve seen a lot on my free ride. I’ve learned a lot, too. Now, I have to get off the train. I’ll always hold on to my ticket.
Kerry- Karebear. Classical mythology tells us Hercules held the weight of the world for Atlas when he needed a rest. Hercules was born with great physical strength and stamina. Kerry, being an individual not composed of the same muscular or skeletal mass, was granted instead with a strength rooted in her regard for the well-being of beings. All of them. If you listen carefully you can hear her smile, tilted 23.5 degrees, calling the sun to shine on. On any given day there may be cloud cover, but if you share a home with Kerry, the light is eternal.
Emil- The Meelsters. Motorcycle ridin’, skateboardin’, ballin’, meat eatin’, trail blazer. I’m not sure I’ve met any 17 year old with as much wisdom, worldliness, and discipline. The guy has drive, the ambition kind. The kind of drive that puts the plastic pieces together, no shatters. Keeping both hands on the bars, we’ll all watch Emil drive over the crest of the hill, into the warm evening sun of promise. College reference? You bet.
Marian- Mare. BAM! Each day of the week in Camphill has its own flavor; grounded in routine, you know what to expect. We also maintain a reverence for seasonal or annual moments/festivals; grounded in tradition, we build upon a familiar structure. Yet, we’re an organic community, there is a dynamism to even the mundane. Wait, NO THERE IS NOT!! Every day is July Fourth and New Year’s!! Grab your dancing shoes and an m80. click your heels and light the fuse. Today we dance ‘til we sweat, under the sparks of vestal flames, tomorrow, too, and the whole year through.
Ellen- Elle Bell. An affinity for phrases, one-liners, and buzzwords, Ellen IS the LYRICAL BUZZ; the human hum drum fuzz. Twinkle, tankle, tinkle and thank you! Lickity-split, she may even spank you! Homies and duders and apple strudles! Our nurse Ellen will fluff your pillow and tend to your bruise, never mellow she too lights the fuse! If they say still waters run deep, Ellen’s magma, the falls are steep.
Solah- The soul soldier. The Sweeping Queen. Bringing a vibe that’s equal parts air and rock solid dedication, feet firmly planted on the floor. Yet, she also has soap feet, slippin’ and slidin’, groove jivin’. Remarkably modest, honestly humble, you must grab her hands, usher her onto the pine with a jolt and watch her sweep with her feet. Stylish and smooth, jovial and gregarious; Tamarack is blessed to gain her allegiance. A ten hut!
Lee- DUDER! Kahhhhh: over the left field wall. Another home run from Klein, the home run king!! As he rounds the bases lets take a look at an illustrious, thirty-time All-Star career. Klein remains a quiet man on and off the field, making any reporter’s job difficult. In the dugout, Klein mostly keeps to himself, but joins in the team camaraderie whenever a teammate knocks in the go-ahead run. Any fan willing to buy our all-star some peanuts or cracker jacks will find Klein delighted to take the offer. He might even press the fan for a second or third box. All in all, Kleiner, or DUDER as the gang around the clubhouse refer to him, is a team player and wouldn’t trade his place in the hall of fame for anything.
Carla. If you’re looking for the personification of the Camphill movement, look no further than Carla deJong. A strong, matriarchal figure, Carla is both community focused and person-centered. As such, there is a perfect Confucius quote that embodies Carla’s Spirit: “To put the world in order, we must first put the nation in order; to put the nation in order, we must put the family in order; to put the family in order, we must cultivate our personal life; and to cultivate our personal life, we must first set our hearts right.” I’ve noticed a theme in some of the passages dedicated to our Bible Evenings: Sacrifice. Carla takes every measure to ensure the ongoing order of this community and, to do it, she makes real sacrifices. Beyond the community she always brings a real world, the whole world, context to our Bible Evening content. Conversely, have you ever seen one of those bumper stickers: “Think globally, act locally.” Again, Carla. I’ve had the honor to work alongside her. She has taught me so many practicalities of life, but so many virtues, too. I guess that’s Carla. She’s the whole spectrum of light, beaming through a fresh shower, casting her generativity, compassion, and commitment to humanity throughout the world, bringing order.
Christina- Stina. We all have varying notions of what constitutes success. So too can accomplishments be judged on a continuum and held in distinct boxes, unique shapes and colors, for our keepsake. Regardless of one’s contribution toward personal and communal development, one cannot help but remark upon the epic journey Christina makes on a daily basis. When I showed up on the scene, I must be honest, I didn’t know what to think of Christina; what lie beneath the surface? What is she trying to convey? Bluntly stated, just how much can she do? Work time arrived. I expected an escort of sorts was in order. Then, Carla, with a soft tap on Stina’s back, exclaimed, “Go to the woodshop.” And off she went. So much more can be said of Stina, but the will that she summons to battle through the elements- the scorching summer sun, the numbing winter frost- to reach her herbal/wooden peak (Every Day! With acute navigating prowess), is a testament to an achievement immeasurable.
Lynn- The Dove. I’ve said time and again I’ve felt blessed with my house placement. There came a point in my stay where moving houses became a potential and, for the community, practical venture. As I’ve said, I felt blessed with my house placement. So, I confided in the person who could provide the best empathic support, considering the circumstances. She encouraged me to stay. And it’s made all the difference. We were more than a duo. Numbers can’t be assigned. Outings galore! Lynn took me under her wing as a dove will do; my older sister, her kid bro. And anyone who messes with my sis will get a Glasgow kiss. Indeed, I was blessed.
Rosa- Rosie Posie. How much growth can one year, excuse me, eleven months bring? If you’re looking for an outlier, a polarized example, look no further than the “baby” deJong. In my time this versatile girl went from a lanky eighth grader to an independent, India bound, waitress, making more per hour with her first job than I’ve ever made. But she’s not a money girl; the cash is nice, what to do with it, though? A salient question for Rosa, who, true to the deJong family spirit, prefers material minimalism. There’s nothing minimal about her heart, another family trait.
Linda- Gradders. My lovely Linny Lady. I feel that I’m Dorothy, I’m standing next to my faithful journey men, the Lion, the Tin-man, and the Scarecrow. I must click my heels in order to go home. But before I do, I bid my farewells and extend my gratitude. Then, I come to the Scarecrow. Do you know what Dorothy says to the Scarecrow? Watch the Wizard of Oz. Scatterbrained, eclectic-dress, hissing, sniffing, snuffling, and sneezing, she is my confidant, my most faithful coworker, my friend. What will I miss most of all? Easy. Linda’s smile.