by Nora Shourd
Sarah’s was one of those fast births. Eighteen minutes from start to finish. She hit the ground running. She has always been so in love with life, eager and engaged in it, gobbling it up. As a child, she created worlds in her mind. She would tell me about her dreams and I was astonished at the complexity of them, the wonder of them. Now she’s out there in those worlds every minute.
She made beautiful art for me all the time and loved to be close, snuggling and cuddling. I remember the feeling of holding her close and wanting to keep her safe always. Those strong feelings don’t dim. When she was a young teen, she went to a school dance and discovered the joy of dancing, endlessly dancing and expressing her joy at being alive in her body. She had a few sullen teen years but she told me once she decided not to be shy anymore and became more and more like the woman she is today: all about eye contact, being very present with people, feeling deeply, not wary of intimacy and deep connection with others.
She will call you on your s–t. She has a curiousity about things, a need to understand, and she moves in the world that way. On my 40th birthday, she secretly made me a birthday book, pages and pages of art, poetry, and silliness, so much love. As soon as she got out of high school she put on a backpack to go hike in Alaska. She and her friend got lost near a glacier but it took her years to tell me the story because she didn’t want to worry me.
She loves her nephews, Carl, Graham, and Nate, and when she visits it’s like the circus coming. She takes them swimming in the river, they go to “the pit” and swing across on a big rope, they have adventures. Going to the Middle East was a big adventure for her.
Home in the East Bay, she took life full on. She cherishes her family and friends, and strives always to be a good friend herself. As an activist, she has worked on many projects: organizing against the femicides in Juarez; anti-war street theatre; sustainability projects; writing for local papers; tutoring high school kids; anti-racism training; volunteer coordinator for Just Cause Oakland.
She graduated from UC Berkeley with an English degree, then got her teaching certificate and taught ESL in Alameda for two years. She sought out purposeful work, work that she felt made a difference in people’s lives. She was in Damascus learning Arabic and teaching English there.
She loves being outside. In the East Bay she rode her bike everywhere, citified but hankering for that connection with the earth. I know she’s missing the sky, the rain, the wind, the stars being locked up there, and all the amazing people on the planet she loves so strongly.
i’ll bet she is there feeling so anxious to see the day when she gets to be held by her mom again and hold her mom. sarah is going to come out even stronger than she was before this. she is probably trying to find some way there to help someone else!
i have a feelig she is gonna be home soon! its a great feeling!!!!
we are all praying for everyone to stay strong during this time of worry and sadness. God Bless Sarah, Shane, Josh and their families and friends.
beautifully written.
Sarah is without a doubt one of the most beautiful and inspiration people I have ever met. She pours herself and her energy into everything she does, whether it is political action, art, or love. Over the fifteen years we have known each other now I have witnessed her grow and change and continue to pursue truth and justice. Sarah, I miss you and I am thinking about you every day and sending you strength and comfort.
Sarah is a wonderful childhood friend of mine. I can not put into words how much Sarah and her mom meant to my childhood. I had immigrated to the US from Iran a year prior to meeting Sarah in the first grade in West LA. She was the only person in my class who completely accepted me and “took me in.” Sarah and her mom introduced me to so many things. They truly shaped my early experiences as a child. Nora is the most wonderful person. I don’t ever remember her not treating us with full respect and love. She is the most amazing mother. My heart goes out to you Nora. It is painful to think of Sarah and her friends in detention for any amount of time. Sarah is such a bright soul. After years of growing apart I never forgot Sarah and tried to search for her online many times. Now the whole world is able to see what a wonderful person Sarah is and how much the world needs her grace, intelligence, and humanity. I love you Nora and Sarah and every day with every activity that I do I will pray that Sarah will be joining her family and friends very soon.
These are wonderful-these things you’ve written, Nora. I have been so proud of everything Sarah has been doing, and I can only hope that this will be an experience that propels her further in the amazing work that she does.
I have known Sarah since 4th grade when we went to elementay school together. She was always one of these girls that just got it…she always seemed older than her age…As one of my first childhood “girfriends” she was a woman in training from a young age. I just read that the Swiss consulate is allowed to go visit her and the others in the prison, that is great. This appears to hopefully be the beginning of the end. I cannot wait to read that they are home…
Sima- so glad to see your comments..we have been wondering how to contact you and hope you will email me..we have all these wonderful pics of you and Sarah when you were friends. contact me. nora
Sarah and Shane lived round the corner from us in Syria and were two of our closest friends. They are strikingly loving, open people who truly opened their hearts and homes all their friends, and were greatly loved and respected by the local Palestinian and Syrian community.
Sarah was a true friend when I needed one most and was living a long way from home. We used to go to the gym together, drink tea, play guitar, and talk talk talk. I was inspired by her courage in letting the world in, and warmed, as so many here seem to have been, by her love.
These are the last pair on earth this should have happened to. Come home soon Sarah and Shane x
May the Lord hear our Prayers and Bring our Children Home.
Sarah (and mom Nora!), I’m thinking about you every day. I can’t wait to hear news that you’ve come home.
I used to live with Sarah and her mom back in ’94 and when i saw her face in the NY Times article, i recognized her immediately…
Sarah and her mom are two of the nicest, most peaceful people i’ve ever met.
For there to be any delay in these three returning is obscene.
I will do whatever i can to help.
Hope you and your friends are home soon, hun.
Sincerely,
Steve
Supporting all.
http://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=173484307499&id=149505997891
Kevin
That was beautiful, Nora.
Sarah,
Even though they can bind your body, they can never keep your spirit from soaring. Put your mind back on the trail until your feet can follow.
In peace, Brandon, a fellow hiker
I pray for the best for Sarah. I was ramdomly reading this article and saw her picture and didn’t think too much of it but when I read the name it struck a chord. I went to Open Elementary with Sarah and we were in the same 5th and 6th grade class. I remember her being very open minded even at a young age. When I read what she’s been up and how she was helping people it didn’t suprise me a bit. I pray this whole ordeal will work itself out. God Speed Sarah.
My heart unfolds mercifully for Sarah and her family. I do not know Sarah personally, but I happened across an almost unnoticeable photo with the caption, “free the hikers” and instantly became moved to be part of this movement. I do not know if faith in the Lord is something that Sarah or her family embraces, but I do, and I will make it my passion to not close my eyes at night until I have prayed for Sarah, her family, and her fellow detained friends. Their voices will be heard, their story told, and their freedom praised when they return home to the loving arms of their families. Do not give up hope. You will be victorious just as darkness falls to the Light!
Praying for your safe return. I hope there is a day in my childs lifetime where the entire word can be explored without fear of political boundries.
Hello Nora,
I am an Australian mother of a 10 year old girl, who sounds similar to your Sarah, My heart and thoughts are with you, I can not image how your heart hurts right now… My daughter and I are both putting out positive thoughts for your daughter and her friends, safe return…
Take care, FREE THE HIKERS…
Kind regards
Janice and Kalarni
Thank you for your mother story. We all have beautiful, amazing stories of our children; it hurts that this is how you have to share her with the world. I heard this story on Democracy Now but the article in Newsweek (that I randomly read…) is what prompted me to write you and the kids. I have a daughter in Rabat, Morocco teaching ASL after graduating from U of O in Eugene, OR. She is adventurous, friendly, curious and loves to hike and explore also. This could be her story and that makes me feel your pain and confusion so strongly! I will Facebook my daughters and friends of this important issue and pray for you to hold Sarah very soon!
Hello Nora,
We at SGI have followed closely the story of this unfortunate situation your daughter and friends have found themselves in. Some of us have found ourselves in tricky situations by inadvertantly being in the wrong place at the wrong time while travelling. This situation will come to an end soon, and these innocent people will be freed. They made a mistake. A non intentional one. In the meantime, be strong, our prayers are with Sarah, Shane, Josh, and all their families.
Sicerely
Staff SGI
Staff at SGI
Sarah is a strong, independent and loving person — we met doing organizing work in the Bay. My thoughts and prayers are with you all. May you find peace, strength and joy wherever you are. I know you will be home soon. Love to Nora, too. Thanks for this beautiful essay on Sarah.
I just read and watched this plea to Iranian leaders for your daughters release.
My prayers are with you all. I prayfor the safe return of all three hikers.
May God be with you, and give you strength.
Dearest Trish and family,
Sarah,Shane and Josh are in our thoughts daily, we look forward to a glorious homecoming here at Dreamtime. We miss you all, come home soon
Patti&Tracy
Please return home safe
We are praying for your safe and rapid return
Sarah, I thought I saw you walking on Shattuck one time. I didn’t say anything, but should have. I don’t have a good memory, and don’t remember a lot about middle school, when we were friends, but I do remember “I love you, cookie!” It was meaningful to me, and I’m grateful to have had it, and you in my life. Please get out of Iran safely.
To Sarah – I think of you often. You and I share the same last name and must be related somehow – it’s such a rare name. My father was Roy Shourd from Houston. May you stay strong, and may your family stay strong. You and your friends will be released.
I meditate for you – peace.
Deb
May your beautiful child come home to you soon. As a mother myself, I can only imagine your anguish and desperation. Stay strong. She will come home to your arms soon. You and all of three of these wonderful people and their families are in my thoughts and prayers.
God bless.
Amber
Sarah.
We could not send you more love and strength. We love you all and just want to hug you again. We think about you daily. Here’s to a speedy return.
E & R
I sat across the way from Sarah in History class @ Sepulveda. I constantly admired her beauty, spunk, and smile from afar. Eventually we became great friends and ate lunch together everyday on the quad with Yumi, Anna, Neetu, June, and Jenna. I remember she gave me one of her tattered pair of levis and was overjoyed that she would pass on her daring sense of style. Sarah taught me how to draw Spiders that I still doodle them till this day. One of my favorite memories of Sarah is watching 9 to 5 and eating veggies/dip. I love you dearly and I pray that the Lord will set you FREE.
Nora,
My email address is salizadeh@aol.com
I actually recently moved to the East Bay. In El Cerrito. I was not sure how to email Nora and send her my contact information. And I just noticed that she mentioned to email her in the comments. Nora, I can’t wait to see the pics of Sarah and I. I am in total disbelief that this is dragging on like this. As a mother myself, it pains me so much to think of your suffering. It is unimaginable to me.
I love you.
Sima
-To whoever is mediating the comments, If possible, if you can not approve my comment for the website, but rather pass it along to Nora Shourd.
Nora,
I’ve followed the news of Sarah’s situation since it hit the news. I knew just looking at her that she was family. I am the Brenda from a family in your past. I have family information that Sarah may want to have when she returns. I hope you’ll contact me so I can share.
I pray for Sarah’s safe and speedy return and the end of your nightmare.
To: Deborah Shourd Parks – hopefully Nora can put us in touch with each other. I know how you are related. I have an extensive family tree done recently of the Shourds which shows a Roy Richard Shourd, Sr and Jr. I believe you are Roy Jr’s daughter.
brenda- hope you’re doing well in your life..its fine to email me..this is a madness which all of the families are in together. i appreciate your concern.please,lets communicate if you would like to. nora
Nora,
What a beautiful, touching written representation of your daughter..I am praying for their safe return..I have 3 yr old daughter (My little Audrey) she is so full of life..A social butterfly, she is always talking to everyone she meets..Very hands on, has to touch and explore everything…She has a strong spirit..I hope that as she ages she is as ambitious as your Sarah..Follows her dreams ,her heart, stand up for herself and others, never passing up an opportunity to see everything this beautiful world has to offer…I am 31 and can only dream of the life your Sarah has had..Truly Amazing !! I will be praying and thinking of you and your family tonite and every night until you meet again…..May you gather strength from all of the kind words on this page……
Hang in there Sarah. You are in my thoughts and prayers!
Dear Nora, I ache for you and what you are going through. Just know that there are lots and lots of people who are praying for Sarah, Shane and Josh and their safe return home to their loved ones. May God bring peace to your day. Love, vicki
Nora,
Hopefully you are able to access my e-mail with my entries. Because of a personal situation I am not able to make my e-mail public. Please contact me if and when you can. Brenda
Peace and blessings upon Sarah
brenda- no ,your email doesn’t appear but my is noraultreya@gmail.com
I’m having my prayer group at church to start praying for all you kids…& your families you can also join us for prayer 12.00 noon EST Mon – Friday @ www. bibleteachers.org we have a live prayer broadcast
hope you are Ok,Sarah,i teach you Arabic before your trip to kurdistan Iraq ,i am living in Switzerland now.if there is anything i can do it to help you i will do it.
god protect you
Hashem OMAR
Is there a snail mail address where I can send a small donation?
Although I am in Canada I can send a $20.00 cheque drawn on a USA bank account .
These 3 hikers, gentle souls and lovers of life are living a nightmare. My heart truly goes out to them and family.
Dear Nora,
I am a 22-year Iranian girl.we are so upset because of this unfair act of our government.Whenever my mum watches you or Sarah on News,she starts crying.she always prays for their safe return.we are not sure what we can do to help Sarah.
Nora please say how we can help Sarah.
I’m glad the story of the three hikers has been published in People magazine. I remember hearing about their plight last summer and then not keeping up with their situation since then. I have read about Evin Prison. My heart goes out to all three of them caught up in this nightmare situation. This world can be a truly crazy place for so many of its occupants. Do you know if Shane, Sarah, and Josh are receiving mail that is sent to them? And is there an address posted somewhere for sending mail to them? I will put their names on our church’s prayer list. Wishing all three families a most successful outcome and sooner than later!! ~ Suzie ~
Nora I am praying for you and for freedom for sarah shane and josh #freethehikers
I wait to hear news that you’ve come home everyday.
My prayers and thoughts are with you. Keep your head up. You’ll be out of there soon and back in the loving arms of your family.
Melanie
Fort McMurray, Alberta, Canada
Dear Nora,
I watched a few of your videos talking about Sara. Now I know where she get all her love for the people, the joy of being alive and her strength.
I am Iranian-American in my early 40′s and I spent almost 4 months in Evin prison when I was 16 years old. Please contact me so I can tell you about the ideas I have in how to help Sara.
My heart broke to hear the story of what happened for you and your friends, but especially for you as a woman because I was afraid for you.
And I prayed for awareness to bloom in the hearts of those who could free you, and for that release to happen soon, and without fear.
I often find it very painful to keep in touch with the “news” of this world, which can make a person feel overwhelmed and powerless, but then when I hear of a woman like you, captive, I realize how much power I must remember that I have.
You did not choose to share your story with me or the world, but rest assured, I am not the only one who will have found in your story a reason to dig deep for meaning and insight to make sense of what happened to you. To care about you, a sensitive precious young woman and like everyone you are a child of the world, deserving to feel and be safe in it. I am not the only one to have wondered how to evoke the most positive resolution to the dilemna of your captivity. To wish for your safety and reunion with those you love. I am grateful for that which brings each of us to reside in our hearts, however challenging the road. So inadvertently your life, your story has done that for people, including myself. No matter what, you have deepened us into our hearts.
May you be cherished all of your days and heal completely. May you be free of suffering.
All blessings
W.D.B.
Sending Sarah, Shane and Josh love and light for a safe and swift journey back to your family and friends. May the long time sun shine upon you, all love surround you, and the pure light within you guide your way home.
May their mothers and fathers know that they are all in my daily thoughts and prayers, that you will know the peace of seeing your children safely home soon. May our Iranian neighbors feel as compassionate toward these young people as they would their own children and set them free.
Om Shanti. Mama Lily
My thoughts and prayers are with you all. Hold your head up!
Hi, Sarah, though I don’t know you, my thoughts go out to you and your friends. I can’t even imagine what you are experiencing.
I’m sending my warmest, most fervent thoughts for a speedy and safe return for you!
Heather
Dear S
Hi
Iam so sorry
M-SH
Hi Nora,
This is Mehdi, I’m moroccan and live in Spain with my family.
May Sarah back home and continue what she always wanted to do.
I’m a father of 9 months litle baby-Girl and just seeing the pictures I got a feeling that I must comment.
Free the hikers.
Cheers.
Mehdi
I am praying for her Sarah’s return! I look forward to watching the release on CNN. I have followed this case since the “arrest” of the (3) hikers. Praying for the safety & return of all (3).
Dear Lord, Please lay your hand on Sarah, Josh, and Shane. May you give them stregth. Let them draw closer to you. Heal their hearts, heal their spirits, let them know they are being loved on by many. I ask for you to release them from this prison. You can move mountains and part waters. I know you can perform miracles. Let them be release and may the glory go to you. -Amen
I’m a firm believe in “everything happens for a reason”. Though we don’t always know why. She seems like such a special person that has a passion for people and helping others. I wouldn’t doubt one bit that she’s going through all of this for a greater purpose (though painful and unfair as it may be). She’s the kind of person who will make a difference in this world and is tough enough to survive & grow by this horrible experience. She’s in my prayers!
Welcome home, Sarah. May Shane and Josh come home safely too, soon. Take good care of yourself during this time of transition.
Be well,
-Thomas
Sarah and Nora,
All the way from Caracas-Venezuela I send my blessings and will keep praying until your friends are free..
Dear Nora:
I am a mother of 2 young girls- ages 7/6- and your Sarah reminds me a lot of my girls, especially my oldest, in their fire, love, compassion, passion, spirit and love for all things. I think those girls are great. My daughter wants to save animals, clean up the earth, feed the hungry and give toys to poor children. I can only imagine what she will do once she grows up.
I am originally from Brazil. I am 46 but have been in the US for almost 30 yrs. I was born under a military dictatorship and still remember the tales of illegal arrests/missing people/torture and rebellion. I myself have been involved in and interested in human rights since an early teen. I was 14 yrs old when I read a book written by a journalist who herself had been wrongly imprisoned in Uruguay. Her booklet, a series of letters to her family, deeply touched at that time by her plight.
I was 16 when I went to visit a teacher in prison, on a hunger strike, for being involved in the labor movement. I could go on and with stories like to show that our love of humanity and passion links us all.
I am so hopeful and happy when I see young people involved in ways/causes to better the way. It was a youth movement that demanded and helped bring about democratic elections in Brazil after more than 20 yrs of military dictatorship. Thus, I believe in raising my daughters to be compassionate and go outside of themselves.
I think you have done a fabulous job with Sarah, from what I’ve read and seen of her, she is not only physically beautiful, bt an articulate, intelligent, poised, gracious and very compassionate person. You must be proud and I am very appreciative of that. I’ve told my young daughters about her and they were curious.
I am sorry for all she and your family/friends have endured in this past year. I can only imagine how hard it must have been. I am soo glad she is free bt the battle to free Shane and Josh continues on and I am positive. I have faith that they will soon be free.
I wish you, Sarah and your family the best, in these difficult times bt I believe you have a lot to look forward to and to celebrate now and in the future.
For now, know, that another mom is thinking of you and is proud that her daughters also have that passionate, compassionate spirit that your daughter has for life, nature and humanity.
Stay well and be well. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
My best to Sarah.
Thank you!!
Clio
Clio
Dear Sarah,Nora and all the families:
We were so moved by the press conference this weekend. May I please send you a free copy of our book, ‘NRI: The Improbable Life of a Non Resident Indian’? It tells a similar true story of trauma and recovery, following Dale, an NRI student/teacher from the First Gulf War in Kuwait. The many kindnesses of the royal family are referenced, as is Dale’s current work as a human rights advocate on behalf of Arabic speaking peoples in the US coping with trauma and recovery. Is there an address where we can send a copy? I’m sure Sarah and all the mothers will relate to the story and find comfort in Dale’s journey to recovery. Thanks!
Sarah, I love u. Praying that your friends r released soon.
Dear Nora & Sarah,
We are overjoyed, Sarah, that you are safely back home. We see that you are taping Oprah (in Chicago?), and would love to see you if possible just to give you a hug. Although we haven’t had much contact, you have always been in our hearts over the years. We have prayed for the three of you every day and continue to pray for the relase of Josh & Shane. We love you both.
Kim & Joan