Rest in Eternal Paradise, Sweet Mermaid
Doação protegida
My name is Andrew. I am Lisa/Sha's brother-in-law, but we were much more than that. I have known her for over half of my life. We supported each other through so many challenges and successes; we've been there for each other when life had other plans. I'm proud to call her my sister and the shero to my daughters, who are also mermaids in training.
On May 29, 2022, she was unexpectedly called home. She leaves behind her sons Jacob and David, mother Marissa, sister Leah, nephew James, nieces Arya and Amaya, partner Jim, best friend Diana, loving cousins, and countless extended relatives/chosen family members/friends -- especially those from the open water swimming community. Like so many, I have watched her transform into a beautiful mermaid: from learning to swim as an adult to protect her children to teaching and mentoring those who swam the open ocean recreationally and competitively. Lisa/Sha is an inspiration to everyone she touched and is a beaming example that it's never too late to pursue your calling in life and be grateful for #dailydelights.
Scott Tapley, board member of the Monterey Bay Swimming Association, captured her spirit best --
"It’s late December 2021. Just after 5:00 AM and still very dark. The air temp is in the low 30s and a recent upwelling has chilled the water to an unwelcoming 49 Fahrenheit. The wharf is quiet and empty. But huddled with frozen feet on the splintery frozen planks of the Santa Cruz Wharf, a half-dozen 'swimmers' stand stiff and shivering. Maybe from the biting wind-chill, or maybe from nerves, or possibly it’s the inevitable plunge into icy dark waters swish-swashing below. Hugging themselves for warmth, the group today includes first-timers and ocean swimming veterans alike. They stand side-by-side, in tiny bathing suits, in a semi-circle with their FULL attention on Lisa Amorao. Lisa, her small frame wrapped in a towel, stands facing the group below a flickering fluorescent wharf light at the top of the public boat launch. Before the group is permitted to swim, they must listen. And they DO listen. With absolute focus. Lisa goes over the course… time in the water… safety… and then Lisa reads a poem.
How does this gentle, petite, soft-spoken and sweet middle-aged mother so easily command their attention and TRUST? She earned it! Not that long ago, Lisa was more than a little afraid of the ocean. She had virtually no open water experience, no knowledge of marathon swimming, had never swum in the dark, knew little about tides or waves, and had a healthy fear of sea monsters. She had one stroke (breaststroke) and one speed (slow). But she also had imagination, creativity, determination, and dreams. BIG dreams. Massively huge and magical dreams. She had experienced the sea’s wonder. Its beauty. Its unexplainable healing powers… and it called to her. It called to her in ways that only poets can describe."
Scott Tapley, board member of the Monterey Bay Swimming Association, captured her spirit best --
"It’s late December 2021. Just after 5:00 AM and still very dark. The air temp is in the low 30s and a recent upwelling has chilled the water to an unwelcoming 49 Fahrenheit. The wharf is quiet and empty. But huddled with frozen feet on the splintery frozen planks of the Santa Cruz Wharf, a half-dozen 'swimmers' stand stiff and shivering. Maybe from the biting wind-chill, or maybe from nerves, or possibly it’s the inevitable plunge into icy dark waters swish-swashing below. Hugging themselves for warmth, the group today includes first-timers and ocean swimming veterans alike. They stand side-by-side, in tiny bathing suits, in a semi-circle with their FULL attention on Lisa Amorao. Lisa, her small frame wrapped in a towel, stands facing the group below a flickering fluorescent wharf light at the top of the public boat launch. Before the group is permitted to swim, they must listen. And they DO listen. With absolute focus. Lisa goes over the course… time in the water… safety… and then Lisa reads a poem.
How does this gentle, petite, soft-spoken and sweet middle-aged mother so easily command their attention and TRUST? She earned it! Not that long ago, Lisa was more than a little afraid of the ocean. She had virtually no open water experience, no knowledge of marathon swimming, had never swum in the dark, knew little about tides or waves, and had a healthy fear of sea monsters. She had one stroke (breaststroke) and one speed (slow). But she also had imagination, creativity, determination, and dreams. BIG dreams. Massively huge and magical dreams. She had experienced the sea’s wonder. Its beauty. Its unexplainable healing powers… and it called to her. It called to her in ways that only poets can describe."
This fundraiser will help reimburse family members who paid out-of-pocket for the funeral services, burial expenses, and reception (services occurred on Thursday, June 9th). The donations will also provide a little relief for her sons and help create a fund for their career aspirations. I understand times are tough and not everyone is in a position to donate monetarily. Other ways you can contribute include, but not limited to are: keeping her #dailydelights hashtag alive (name 3 things you're grateful for), offering grief support to her family members and friends, and passing on the knowledge she may have shared with you to others.
Thank you for your consideration and I hope you will make a meaningful contribution in honor of our angel, Lisa/Sha.
With love and gratitude,
Andrew (aka Andy/Drew)
Photo by Neil Kramer
Lisa/Sha's partner created a website dedicated to her: https://chiefbirdwatcherlisa.wordpress.com
To learn more about Lisa/Sha's adventures with the Birdwatchers of Monterey Bay, please visit: https://birdwatcherswimming.org
ABS-CBN Balitang America: Lisa swims with Pinoy Aquaman to promote cleaner seas
Organizador e beneficiário
Andrew Amorao
Organizador
Chula Vista, CA
Marissa Fajardo
Beneficiário