In loving memory of Beryl Nelson

9/16/1957 - 10/23/2015

When Great Trees Fall
Maya Angelou

When great trees fall,
rocks on distant hills shudder,
lions hunker down
in tall grasses,
and even elephants
lumber after safety.

When great trees fall
in forests,
small things recoil into silence,
their senses
eroded beyond fear.

When great souls die,
the air around us becomes
light, rare, sterile.
We breathe, briefly.
Our eyes, briefly,
see with
a hurtful clarity.
Our memory, suddenly sharpened,
examines,
gnaws on kind words
unsaid,
promised walks
never taken.

Great souls die and
our reality, bound to
them, takes leave of us.
Our souls,
dependent upon their
nurture,
now shrink, wizened.
Our minds, formed
and informed by their
radiance,
fall away.

We are not so much maddened
as reduced to the unutterable ignorance
of dark, cold
caves.

And when great souls die,
after a period peace blooms,
slowly and always
irregularly. Spaces fill
with a kind of
soothing electric vibration.

Our senses, restored, never
to be the same, whisper to us.

They existed. They existed.
We can be. Be and be
better. For they existed.

Rest In Peace, my sister, my friend.

Beryl, your messages about inclusive leadership burn brightly and will radiate to the world.

I remember first hearing about Beryl a few years ago. I was working at Google in EMEA, and was immediately inspired by Beryl's dedication to promoting women in tech. I was lucky enough to also meet Beryl in person -- Its the role models that you have a personal connection with that impact you the most. Beryl, you will be missed. Thank you for being such an inspiration.

Beryl was loved and highly respected by many. I looked up to her and she was a true inspiration. I will miss her dearly.

Will miss you dearly

A light candle for you, Beryl, with the most intense and beautiful light, just like you.