My
friend and fellow musician, Mark Rubin posted a Facebook status
update this past week which has hit very close to home. It read:
“Confused?
Upset? Maybe start talking to old people more often. You'd be
surprised what you'll learn and how much better you'll feel
generally.” There was definitely one “old” person whom I
relished seeking counsel from and that was Allelu Kurten. I say “old”
with quotation marks because if you knew or even met Allelu, you knew
that despite her biological age, the word “old” did not apply to
her. She was exuberance incarnate, even until the last.
Whenever
I faced a big decision or transition in my life, she was always there
with her light and wisdom and gave me perspective and a listening
ear. She was there when I had to make big decisions regarding some
work with the Muppets. She saw me through a number of heartbreaks.
And she sat next to me at Jane Henson's memorial service. But she was
also there to delight in all the good things in life, too: playing
music, making albums, creative projects and, of course, puppet shows!
She taught me the value of having a “chosen” family: the family
that you may not necessarily be born into, but those you choose to
surround yourself with.
I
had a lovely last visit with her when I was in Brookline, MA last
month. She revealed to me that her time was short and so I took
advantage of having as much time with her as I could. She came to see
“Billy Goats Gruff and Other Stuff” at the Puppet Showplace and I
offered to give her a ride back up to her apartment in Concord. She
showed me around her place, her lovely flower boxes on her deck, but
it was soon time for me to go. We looked at each other and I said “I
don't want to do this. I had to say goodbye to Jane and now I have to
say goodbye to you.” We hugged each other and I made my way out.
She waved to me from her balcony as I walked to my car, a gesture she
made to anyone who came to visit her.
I
will miss her human presence here, but know that her light is
shinning all around us now, anytime we need. She left behind a legacy
of love, hope, encouragement and enthusiasm. All of which are our
inheritance. Truly, we are wealthier in those respects for knowing
her.
