OMG Martha! I just read the eulogy and learned so much about Aunt Benji that I didn't know! You are such a talented story teller and the ending made me cry. I hope I can be there for my sisters like you were for Benji. God bless sisters! Rest in peace Benji.
This is Benji's Indonesian sister, Nasti, and her family: Harun, Lita, Rasjid and nephew Emir in 1973
This is a story I know very well, because I'm her sister and I was there at the start!
Benji began her career as an Art teacher at Roosevelt Jr High School in Cleveland, Ohio. As much as she loved teaching and her life in Cleveland, she longed for an adventure! She wanted to do something new and exciting before settling down to a regular and predictable life in the American Midwest. So she came up with a plan. A doozy of a plan.
She would apply to the Peace Corps, and to a fine arts program at the University of Hawaii, and the University of Mexico—and then go to whichever place answered her application first! It woud be like a horse race and a lottery, all in one.
I remember sitting at the big dining table of our house in Grimsby with Benji and my mom and dad as she showed us her three filled out applications, and explained her simple plan. She would mail all three applications from the same post office on the same day, and let fate decide where she went. I thought she was brave and brilliant! My dad thought she was a little bit nuts, but both my parents understood her need to break out and do something big and unexpected. Something bold and adventurous. So that very afternoon the applications were all mailed, at once, and the waiting began.
You all know the ending to this story. Fate chose Hawaii! The University of Hawaii was the first institution to mail an acceptance, and Benji was off to paradise!
Fate chose well! Benji loved Hawaii, and Hawaii loved her back. Soon after she arrived in Honolulu she got a part time job at a little start-up organization called the East-West Center. Fate transformed into Destiny then, because Benji loved the East West Center passionately! She devoted her life to building, supporting, creating, advising and just being a part of the wonderful EWC. I think the EWC will never know a more staunch supporter. She loved everything about the EWC and every person who was a part of it.
---Story told by Benji’s little sister, Martha. I love you, Benji!
(That's me on the right of the photo, and Benji leaning on one of the abstract paintings that she used as part of her application to the Fine Arts progrm at U of Hawaii.)
