No one can work forever but they're so shocked when I read of Rekha's leaving. I will not call it retirement because I can't imagine her sitting on the back porch and sipping her tea. This most likely just leads into a new chapter of her life and we all wish her well. I was glad to be able to have just a brief few minutes of chatting with her at the retreat this past summer. You go girl
Life and changes bring us each to a decisive time. You have so often expressed the tumult I have been feeling as well as the naked TRUTH. Your varied articles have educated me in our REAL WORLD.
I will miss you terribly, but I know your mind will still present you with many ways to enrich your life. This Substack Writer’s group will present many ideas I can ponder, as you have. So, I too will transition…
A couple of years ago Lindy loaned me a copy of “At Home in a Big Little World,”
your mother’s fascinating book about her awakening and need to move on from her native India, to work for human rights at the United Nations. It was her calling to
help people have a better life, especially women. Like her, you have advocated for so many and celebrated with great joy the
high points of life with others. I believe you are your Mother’s daughter as you once realized in print.
I wish you many great times in the future
with your loving family and friends in the years to come. And I will always be wondering, “ What would Rekha think ?”
I contacted Rekha Basu more than 25 years ago, taking issue with a column she wrote about the horrors of institutionalization. I had then a severely damaged child, placed "out of the home," and took issue with how damaging her view was to families like mine who had to make harrowing personal decisions. She not only listened. She wrote another column sharing more complicated stories. Iowa was lucky to hear her compassionate voice for so many years.
Terrific letter. I have been so disappointed in the disappearing... DM Register. Now with Rekha gone, there is little left for me to read. I have unsubscribed & resubscribed so many times in the last few years. I was one of those people that was in the comments defending Rekha's viewpoints or calling out some of the ridiculous trolls for their unresearched, uneducated, racist etc. etc. comments. Until I just couldn't stand to write another word, because it didn't seem to matter. But, Rekha MATTERED!!!! I called her about unfair issues, to sound the alarm. I unabashedly used her name in situations with those who tried to flex those racist/unfair/etc. muscles & asked how they would like to see that in print? Thank you, Rekha for everything. I already miss you. Now, tell me who do we call?
What a perceptive tribute to Rekha Basu! I moved away from Iowa eighteen years ago, but I still seek out her writing and her wisdom. She’s an Iowa treasure in an age that is yielding fewer of those worthy of note.
I don't know Rekha's work but this is a wonderful tribute, especially the suggested inscription.
Wow! Accurate, heartfelt, even poetic. Thank you!
Oops. Sorry for the typo in my comment. Should have said I was so shocked not they're shocked. Sheesh.
No one can work forever but they're so shocked when I read of Rekha's leaving. I will not call it retirement because I can't imagine her sitting on the back porch and sipping her tea. This most likely just leads into a new chapter of her life and we all wish her well. I was glad to be able to have just a brief few minutes of chatting with her at the retreat this past summer. You go girl
Dear Rekha,
Life and changes bring us each to a decisive time. You have so often expressed the tumult I have been feeling as well as the naked TRUTH. Your varied articles have educated me in our REAL WORLD.
I will miss you terribly, but I know your mind will still present you with many ways to enrich your life. This Substack Writer’s group will present many ideas I can ponder, as you have. So, I too will transition…
A couple of years ago Lindy loaned me a copy of “At Home in a Big Little World,”
your mother’s fascinating book about her awakening and need to move on from her native India, to work for human rights at the United Nations. It was her calling to
help people have a better life, especially women. Like her, you have advocated for so many and celebrated with great joy the
high points of life with others. I believe you are your Mother’s daughter as you once realized in print.
I wish you many great times in the future
with your loving family and friends in the years to come. And I will always be wondering, “ What would Rekha think ?”
Best Wishes and Congratulations!
Beth Bishop
Clive, Iowa
bb.ink4@me.com
Well said, Bob! I will really miss seeing Rekha’s writing in The Register, and, of course, I wish her the very best in what comes next.
Thanks, Bob, for this wonderful tribute to Rekha who has clearly left her mark on the Register’s readers. Thanks for your courage, Rekha.
I contacted Rekha Basu more than 25 years ago, taking issue with a column she wrote about the horrors of institutionalization. I had then a severely damaged child, placed "out of the home," and took issue with how damaging her view was to families like mine who had to make harrowing personal decisions. She not only listened. She wrote another column sharing more complicated stories. Iowa was lucky to hear her compassionate voice for so many years.
Amen.
Wow! Bob, you spoke for many of us very eloquently. A big thank you to Rekha for so many years of provoking our thoughts!
Wonderful letter. I will miss her so much. Thanks for posting.
Terrific letter. I have been so disappointed in the disappearing... DM Register. Now with Rekha gone, there is little left for me to read. I have unsubscribed & resubscribed so many times in the last few years. I was one of those people that was in the comments defending Rekha's viewpoints or calling out some of the ridiculous trolls for their unresearched, uneducated, racist etc. etc. comments. Until I just couldn't stand to write another word, because it didn't seem to matter. But, Rekha MATTERED!!!! I called her about unfair issues, to sound the alarm. I unabashedly used her name in situations with those who tried to flex those racist/unfair/etc. muscles & asked how they would like to see that in print? Thank you, Rekha for everything. I already miss you. Now, tell me who do we call?
WOW!
This column is spot on, and I feel the same way. Thanks for saying it so well. She will be missed.
What a perceptive tribute to Rekha Basu! I moved away from Iowa eighteen years ago, but I still seek out her writing and her wisdom. She’s an Iowa treasure in an age that is yielding fewer of those worthy of note.
Dear Robert Leonard: Thank you for expressing so well what MANY of us are feeling, too!