Editor,
These are my memories of Trella Laughlin.
Trella was a compassionate loving woman who spent her life fighting for equality and freedom for everyone and everything on this planet. She may have been seen as a person who disagreed with many people. However, she was actually helping people get to the core of problems that exist. When Roe v. Wade was overturned, she was deeply affected.
I met Trella and Marie in 2005 when Sheila and I first moved here from South Florida.
I will always remember how she would call me to come over and “fix” her printer. It wasn’t until the 3rd time when I went over to “fix” the printer that I truly realized that she just wanted to talk to me.
We talked about Buddhist teachings and how much my life and my happiness has soared since she first met me. She gave me many Buddhist books so that I could keep learning. Trella told me that I have a huge responsibility to our world.
She gave me encouragement and listened to what I was sharing. I believe she did find more happiness in later life when she could no longer do the things she loved to do.
I have gratefully put my friend Trella at the top of my list of all the wonderful and wise women mentors I have had in my life. Trella’s essence lives on in my life as it does in the lives of those for whose respect and dignity she fought – people, dogs, elephants and cats.
“People do not grow when their environment is too comfortable, when they are not challenged. It is in the midst of suffering and hardship that strength of character is formed.” SGI-USA President Daisaku Ikeda
I have made a determination to accept Trella’s challenge to light up this world and help people choose happiness.
Donna Norman, member of the SGI-USA Eureka Springs Nichiren Buddhists