Casondra Sobieralski
Ahhh, so THAT's where my travel bug seeds were planted--by Marcia!!! My parents are not travelers, so I always wondered where that inspiration to dream and the chutzpah to actually follow through came from. Makes total sense! I loved going to the Kline's house and hearing her tales of Spain. I always felt mesmerized by the guts it took to leave behind the comforts of home and dive into the Unknown. From her I learned what sort of attitude it takes to swim so flexibly. I rode the big yellow school bus with Michael from second grade through high school, and loved visiting his family every chance I got. His mom inspired me in so many ways. She was one of the few moms in our 'burb who balanced a career and a family, and she was thus a much needed role model for those of us just out of the Title 9 starting gate with few guideposts. She didn't need to hide her radiant natural beauty behind toxic paints, and I still follow her lead, social pressures be damned. She had strong opinions, and she wasn't afraid to express them with gusto. --but usually with a heavy dose of wickedly smart dry humor, so even if you did not agree, you still had to feel her love and laugh. She wasn't materialistic, in contrast to the culture that we were immersed in, and I learned from her Live Simply and Compassionately philosophy. And now I see, she was also likely the one that inspired my love of travel and adventure, which has so defined my adult life. Marcia, passing over is just another travel adventure, one not mapped by NASA yet. And I am sure you will charm, inspire, and educate-by-example all the souls you meet along the way, just like you did all us kids growing up in North Allegheny tiger country. Much love and support to you all!!!