Kathi-- It was your coaching me and holding my hand over the phone in May '09 that helped me have the courage to actually show up and lead my first NVC workshop, instead of cancelling it. You offered to help me as much as I wanted and as you could. I felt so touched by your willingness to spend time with me to prepare and inspired by your enthusiasm and trust that I could DO it! And I did it-- and discovered my passion. I am so grateful... I still feel your love for me...
-- With deep appreciation,
Diane

To all of us in our sadness--
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace to you.
--from a Gaelic blessing

And--

"How does one become a butterfly?" she asked pensively.
"You must want to fly so much that you are willing to give up being a caterpillar."
"You mean to die?" asked Yellow.
"Yes and no," he answered. "What looks like you will die; but what's REALLY you will live."
--from HOPE FOR THE FLOWERS by Trina Paulus

I will always remember your sincerity, strength, kindness and Irish spice. I am fortunate to have known you, however brief. You have made an impact on me that I will carry for many years to come. I am forever grateful. Until we meet again, I wish you a trillion-billion Om Mani Padme Hums. Now where is that NVC dance floor...

I listen to the wind rushing through the trees
and hear the rippling water moving toward the shore...
jagged peaks in the distance...
The clouds pass overhead, neither hurried nor delayed...
my beating heart...
constant movement everywhere.
present to the rhythms of life:
touched by the whirling and swirling,
the sounds of birds and butterflies...
Goodbye Kathi.
I will see you beautiful always.
Your spirit hovers above
drops down
and touches my heart.
Peace, my Dear.

I treasure the depth of connection we shared and your willingness to work through the bumps in the road. Your tenacity and creativity planted and nurtured the seed of Compassionate Leadership, and your including me continues to be a gift that lives on in my life through the growth, community, and ever-expanding contributions to compassionate leadership in the world. I will miss your clear expression of your perspective that often reflected a deeper knowing in me that I had not yet contacted. I am thankful in your last days that you had peace with your passing.

In your presence I knew safety at the deepest levels, because it was so apparent how much you loved me. I love you and I will forever miss you.
William

My image is of Kathi carefully selecting flowers from the Farmers Market and then arranging them on the Penn House kitchen table in Atlanta to make the center pieces for CL'09. As I watched her, each flower was selected carefully just as I witnessed her choosing compassionate leadership for life. The choice seemed to rise out of a passion for giving her best to enhance the beauty of centering and of community and I was a recipient.

Holding all with gentleness while knowing Kathi's desire and energy for a world of compassionate leadership lives on in me/us. peace. liz sully

My world has been rocked and shaken. My heart aches. Waves of sadness wash over me. There is a black hole of grief and despair where Kathi Aichner’s face used to shine.