I was at the memorial service ^[1] for violinist Angela Svendsen – one of two musicians killed by a drunk driver heading the wrong way on I5 February 11th. I never had the privilege of meeting Angela myself while she was alive – but her many friends, students, and family members painted a portrait of a vibrant, loving young woman who gave life her all, poured her passion for music into her many students, and truly made a difference during her too brief 31 years on this planet.

KGW captured some of the event ^[2] – as expected, it left few in the audience dry-eyed. But for me, the most touching moment was when scores of Angela’s past and present students – some as little as 5 or 6 – filed onstage in their finery, violins in hand, to play en masse for the crowd.

Angela’s husband later said that her students now each had a piece of Angela’s spirit with them, and they’d best do her memory justice by sharing that spirit with the world through their music. From what I witnessed today, we’ll all be better for the gifts Angela left behind.

(Here, more about Angela Svendsen ^[3]…)