My running group has dedicated a mile to Willa in our runs since her diagnosis. As we ran, one of us would randomly chant "Willa Willa Willa". Today, one of our group brought each of us a "W" to wear in remembrance of Willa. I hope Willa would find this amusing--running is not an activity I would imagine Willa willingly doing. Nonetheless, we ran for Willa this morning with our multi-colored W's as a small tribute to this remarkable person. "Willa Willa Willa"! With lots of love, Paula
I remember the day I met Willa while a student at the Institute of French Studies at NYU, about four decades ago. We were both grad students sitting in seats in a vestibule, waiting to talk to a professor She was radiant and so beautifully dressed. Impeccable--in grand defiance of a drab, rainy NY day. Then, I looked down at her big old, black galoshes. The contrast took me by surprise and I said to myself, "This gal is something. I really need to know more about her." And so I ventured to talk to her. I am so happy I acted on that hunch and got to know her. We shared precious moments of friendship amid an expanding circle of friends--and especially "les filles and "Mitch" as she called him. Over the years, I looked forward to her visits to our beloved Paris, on the numerous occasions she came here with friends, colleagues, and with Ben, after I had become a Paris expatriate. I truly adored Willa and will miss her dearly.
