I am having the hardest time, putting into words, how I feel. Taru was one of the few people I knew, with a truly good heart, a light. His playful connection to life, made the hardest things easier to bare.
We got to spend much time, the last time I was in the AA area and especially after my bad accident. With my brain all weird, cuz I had had a brain hemorrhage, undetected. I stayed with Mike and Mike took care of me. One day we went out for lunch and on the ride there, we all sang „Sometimes it snows in April“. Such a joyful memory. The love and light that was in the air, was magic.
SOMETIMES it snows in APRIL
Prince, Prince Rogers Nelson, singer, musician, der wahre King Pop (June 7, 1958 – April 21, 2016)
Tracy died soon after a long fought civil war
Just after I’d wiped away his last tear
I guess he’s better off than he was before
A whole lot better off than the fools he left here
I used to cry for Tracy ‚cause he was my only friend
Those kind of cars don’t pass u every day
I used to cry for Tracy because I wanted to see him again
But sometimes, sometimes life ain’t always the way
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad, so bad
Sometimes I wish that life was never ending
And all good things, they say, never last
Springtime was always my favorite time of year
A time for lovers holding hands in the rain
Now springtime only reminds me of Tracy’s tears
Always cry for love, never cry for pain
He used to say so strong, unafraid to die
Unafraid of the death that left me
Hypnotized
No, staring at his picture I realized
No one could cry the way my Tracy cried
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad
Sometimes, sometimes I wish that life was never ending
But all good things, they say, never last
I often dream of heaven and I know that Tracy’s there
I know that he has found another friend
Maybe he’s found the answer to all the April snow
Maybe one day I’ll see my Tracy again
Sometimes it snows in April
Sometimes I feel so bad
So bad
Sometimes I wish that life was never ending
But all good things, they say, never last
But all good things they say, never last
And love, it isn’t love until it’s past
On the day of Tarus’s death, I had not gotten the news yet, I had to think of that joyous moment and played said Prince song and I just could not stop crying. I was lucky, I had friends, tell me what Taru was going threw, so I could pray for him daily. Even though, I could not afford flying across the ocean to say good bye in person.
Reading his notes in my Highschool yearbook, I had to grin so many times. Remembering his life, makes me smile. Knowing I will never get the chance to spend time with him again, well all I know is to cry. The sketches below, are from Taru in my yearbook, he was super in a hurry and needed to get some place, fast. The energy he would have… just amazing.
In 2012 I got to spend a whole day with Taru, it was my 39th birthday and we visited places, streets we had roamed as teenagers. Sitting in front of Community High, we talked for hours. In high school, we were both the „older“ kids, cuz we both were a year older than our graduating palls. So we spoke much about getting older and what life would be like, loosing youth. Little did we know….
The picture above, I had not seen until Taru postet it some time ago. It feels so very fitting to how our friendship worked: we weren’t super close, but when we met, it was just like being 17, like in that picture, it was close and open and fun and felt like home. It was always easy to be around Taru. A quality that I got to cherish, the older I got. Because he was so open and kind, and also lots of fun. We laughed so much together. Especially, when I stayed „with the guys“ in 2016.
Dear Taru, I know now, you know, I love you and I wish you all the art, freedom, love and laughs. I know the force is with you. I just know. You are one of the good ones. I will put on some Simon and Garfunkel and later on, sing „Sometimes it snows in April“ in your memory (trying not to cry) – I will do that, oh so many times.
Thanks to ALL who helped him cross the river, especially Alison and Mike, but also Rosemarie. Thank you for being there for him!
I miss you already Taru. You left us way too soon. Even though those high hearted and warm and funny moments will last for ever, in me. Love you Taru, Rest In Peace 💕, I miss you.
My heart goes out to his family and everyone who misses and grieves him. His memory will be a blessing.
RIP Taru Sterling, 10/30/1973 – 4/18/2024 💕
Taru Sterling Obituary
Sterling, Taru
Obituary
10/30/1973 – 4/18/2024
Ypsilanti, MI
Taru Sterling was energetic, friendly, honest, and the most entertaining person behind the bakery counter at the Ann Arbor Whole Foods (since 2003). If you didn’t meet him there you might have met him at Community High (1988-1992) or Camp Algonquin (1986-1993), or you might have seen his name in the credits of the Judge Judy show. He was also the biggest fan of Star Wars, and a talented and prolific painter with a degree from the Kansas City Art Institute (1992-1996). Taru – officially Tarek Phu Thanh Hung Sterling – passed away on April 18th, only a month after being diagnosed with an aggressive cancer. He was predeceased by his mother, Ann Sterling, and is survived by his father, Thom Sterling, stepmother Susan Lazar, and siblings Phuong, Shad, Sam, and Mercedes. Taru will be dearly missed, by his immediate family, by the many family and friends who gathered around him during his illness, and by many other friends and acquaintences in the community. A public memorial will be held in the fall, his favorite time of year, on Sunday, October 27th, 5:30pm, at the Matthaei Botanical Gardens.
Bridge over troubled Water
When you’re weary
Feeling small
When tears are in your eyes
I will dry them all
I’m on your sideOh, when times get rough
And friends just can’t be found
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me downWhen you’re down and out
When you’re on the street
When evening falls so hard
I will comfort you
I’ll take your partOh, when darkness comes
And pain is all around
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me down
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will lay me downSail on, silver girl
Sail on by
Your time has come to shine
All your dreams are on their way
See how they shineOh, if you need a friend
Simon & Garfunkel, Bridge over troubled Water
I’m sailing right behind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind
Like a bridge over troubled water
I will ease your mind