I was shocked and saddened to learn this afternoon that one of my old German classmates, Lindsay Budnick, was killed last night in an automobile accident in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. She was 23 years old.
After sharing German 101 and 102 I almost never encountered Lindsay again. As with many classmates, we went our own ways after freshman year and that was that. This is unfortunate perhaps, because one never knows where those separate ways will lead.
As best I know Lindsay's led to North Carolina, where she participated in the Teach For America program in Rocky Mount. According to a press release, in addition to her service through TFA she became actively involved with the Lakeland Theatre Company, a non-profit cultural arts center in Littleton, NC.
This doesn't surprise me frankly, because Lindsay always seemed involved in everything. Furthermore, one of the things I remember while taking German with Lindsay is that we were frequently paired to act-out dialogues we wrote in class. These usually turned into desperate improvisations (what looks good on paper can sound awful in performance), which once memorably produced the following exchange:
Lindsay: "Warum ist das Wetter heute so seltsam?"
(Why is the weather so strange today?)
Me: "Weil...um...weil ich es regnen machen?"
(Because...um...because I made it rain?)
Lindsay: "Du kannst es regnen?"
(You can make it rain?)
Me: "Um...ja, manchmal. Kannst du nicht?"
(Um...yes, sometimes. Can't you?)
Lindsay: "Ja, natürlich!"
(Yes, naturally!)
I think our professor enjoyed the exchange but found fault in that, like half-a-penny, it made no sense (cents). It didn't matter though, because ultimately everyone was all smiles at the end of the day, which really is a victory in and of itself.
But that is the extent of what I remember about Lindsay, though based on the outpouring of thoughts on Facebook I can only imagine the memories others are presently reliving. It is so sad to hear of someone so young and full of positive spirit pass while their life and gifts enriched the world so much. Frankly, we need more people like Lindsay. We need more people who give themselves over to the betterment of those in need, particular in such times as we now find ourselves. It is not an easy task, but a necessary one, and in the time I knew Lindsay she cut a fine example of how that might be done.
So let us remember Lindsay, each in our own way. Let us remember a kind woman whose gifts enriched the lives of so many. And let us go forth from this day carrying our memories of her close to our heart, the better that they may give us guidance and strength as we seek to emulate her example in our daily lives. Thank you Lindsay. You will be missed.
Peace
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