Dancing Through Life
Love and Hugs for Reema's Loss
Wed, April 18, 2007 - 5:40 PM
Her bio from the website reads, "Reema has been dancing since she was 2 years old. She has been classically trained in ballet, jazz, modern, hip hop and has had experience in many other styles. Her love for belly dance came from her Lebanese heritage and she has been exposed to it from a young age. She has taken classes, attended workshops and has performed for her Church's Middle Eastern Food Festival and in front of her high school. She won best individual performance in her school's talent show her senior year. She is very excited to be part of Hill and Veil and looks forward to learning and choreographing with her fellow members."
As a community of bellydancers, we all grieve this loss. Many have expressed wishes to send condolences to Reema's fellow dancers and family.
I have sent an email to the group at VT to see if we can send a card via VT to the bellydance troupe and another through the troupe on to Reema's family. I anxiously await their response.
In the meantime, please feel free to post messages here that you would like shared with those grieving Reema. I will print this blog and put with a card to send to the BD group at VT and another copy to send with a seperate card to Reema's family.
Love and light,
Ikiwiki
Wed, April 18, 2007 - 5:40 PM -
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Sun, April 22, 2007 - 7:45 PM
So much has been conveyed here in words. Reema lived as a bright light in the dance community, as a bright light in life. There is no doubt the loss of her light embodied is deeply felt, and the manner in which this came about is much to bear in heart and mind. We grieve. ~Lisa
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Wed, April 18, 2007 - 6:00 PM
Reema is celebrating the eternal dance of love and light.
One day I hope to join you on that stage beyond the heavens. Rest in peace. |
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Wed, April 18, 2007 - 6:09 PM
I guess ......
Heavenly Father wanted her back home with him.
We will morn tne loss of such a bright spirit. I will continue my prayers for her family and the families whom lost a loved one. |
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Wed, April 18, 2007 - 7:05 PM
My thoughts and energies are with her family and the families of the remaining victims.
She's looking down from a Higher Place, a smile and a shimmy for us all..... I'll have an extra candle for her on my altar.... Bright blessings Obi |
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Wed, April 18, 2007 - 7:46 PM
May she dance forever in joy and laughter, and light.
Baysan |
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Wed, April 18, 2007 - 9:32 PM
Reema, I am sorry our paths did not meet. You are a beautiful soul, so young and full of life, it is a sad day in our world. May you have a peaceful journey to your next world.
Your soul is in my prayers Peace my beautiful dance sister Jamilla Rasa and Petite Jamilla |
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Wed, April 18, 2007 - 10:54 PM
To Reema's family...
It pains me you have had to lose such a dear one but cherish the years and the moments you did share... your family has been in our prayers (me & my children). Love eachother even more boldly, for Reema.
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Wed, April 18, 2007 - 11:19 PM
I posted this on a thread on the Shira.net tribe. I was asked to paste it here. Just something that I feel in my heart.
******************* Last night, I picked one of the troupe members, Hali, and sent her an e-mail expressing my condolences to her, her troupe, the families and friends, and the entire community and asked her to please share this with the others. I personally believe that we are all dance sisters.... kinda like the brotherhood of firefighters and such. Whether we knew her personally or not, we still grieve her loss as if she was one of our very own. Such a beautiful young girl. So much going on for her. Apparently, hugely talented. Yet she was taken away way too soon. But this phenomenon of a sisterhood in the dance does exist. How else can we explain the bond we feel for "friends" here that we've never met? So the loss of a dance sister anywhere, but especially in such a random and senseless way, affects us all. Well, let's all put on our zills and jingle them... 'cause every time a zill rings, a belly dancer angel gets her Isis wings! |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 12:25 AM
A sad, sad tragedy. So senseless. And what a beautiful life lost! Please accept my deepest sympathy. Our whole community mourns Reema.
Jennifer |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 2:20 AM
"'cause every time a zill rings, a belly dancer angel gets her Isis wings! " That's lovely.
It's a shocking thing but because it happens thousands of miles away and on tv it loses it's impact. Something like this brings it home. My thoughts are with the family and friends of all those taken too soon. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 4:34 AM
My prayers and energies are with her, her family and all the victims of this tragedy. I heard her dad say on an interview that he had gained her energy; that really touched me. Reema we will miss here but we know we will see you someday.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 5:00 AM
Mourning the loss of a kindred spirit
Though we never met, we were one in spirit with the dance. Condolences to her family and those who knew her personally. May memories of times spent together comfort you in your grief.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 5:23 AM
My thoughts and sympathies go to Reema's family and friends, as well as those grieving the loss of all the victims.
She has moved on from this place into a peaceful realm free of pain and tragedy;her gentle soul is with G-d now. Reema's spirit and beauty will forever remain in the memories of those who knew and loved her best. May her passing remind each of us of the fragility and preciousness of life, and how deeply Reema has so obviously touched those she knew. Her smile and danced will be missed by family, friends, and her sisters in dance. I will pray for G-d's comfort to embrace the aching hearts of those grieving the loss of all the victims at Virginia Tech. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 5:59 AM
This was so sad to read.
My condolences to Reema's family and friends and anyone else who has been affected by this awful tragedy. xxx |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 6:19 AM
Losing one of our own
I didn’t know Reema Joseph Samaha. We never met, I never attended class with her, and I never got the pleasure of seeing her dance. We never emailed each other our goals and accomplishments, nor did we remark on each other’s frustrations, but we shared the same dream and passion: a love of Middle Eastern Dance.
On Monday, April 16, 2007 Reema was murdered in the Virginia Tech massacre. I can’t help but feel like we’ve just lost one of our own. We often refer to the “sisterhood” of dance, or we talk about the Belly Dance Community, but in reality, dancers are part of a large, extended family. We support each other and encourage each other, argue and debate each other, share costuming wisdom and music reviews. Sometimes we fight with each other, as siblings will do, but ultimately we make up one big happy “family.” It’s not fair to lose such a family member. We often read news reports after such tragedies as these and think to ourselves, “Oh, how terrible.” We may say a silent prayer, or offer the families our condolences. But most of the time, when we read the list of the victims, we don’t see faces. We don’t think about each life lost and what that means to us: we who are simply strangers reading a newspaper. But Reema was a belly dancer. One of us. One of our own. I’m looking at her picture now, seeing her smiling at the camera in her coin scarf, and Reema is not just some face or some name in a newspaper memorial. She was a belly dancer. One of us. What I know about Reema fits inside two column inches in the newspaper: Her heritage was Lebanese. She had been dancing since she was two years old and studied ballet, jazz, modern dance, and hip-hop as well as Middle Eastern dance. She performed for her church and her high school and even won “best individual performance” in her school’s talent show. She was a part of Hill and Veil, the Middle Eastern dance association at Virginia Tech. And she was one of us. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 7:06 AM
Words cannot begin to express the sadness I feel for such a tragic loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
God bless. Sue |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 7:08 AM
My condolences to Remma's family and friends. Though I didn't know her, I can see how special she was. Her spirit and energy are evident in her picture and the lovely things people have said. Though she has passed on to the next adventure, she will live on in the hearts of those who knew her and in the spirit of our wonderful dance.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 7:22 AM
such a beautiful person and talent will be missed in our community. alll life is precious and a life that dances has a unique soul...prayers to her family and friends...amen
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 7:34 AM
Candlelight Vigil
There will be a candlelight vigil at UW-Milwaukee this evening in memory of all those affected by the VT event. (FYI...several local bellydancers are planning to attend wearing hip scarves for Reema.) Following is information.
A candlelight vigil in commemoration of this week’s tragedy at Virginia Tech will be held on Thursday, April 19 from 6 to 6:30 p.m. at Spaights Plaza at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. Spaights Plaza is directly north of the UWM Union, 2200 E. Kenwood Blvd. The program will include shared readings by students, a commemoration of victims and a moment of silence. UWM Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs, Helen Mamarchev, will also contribute to the program. Residents in the UWM neighborhood are also welcome to attend. Donations of personal care items (toothpaste, soap, shampoo) will be collected for the Milwaukee Rescue Mission. The event is sponsored by the Coalition of Campus Religious Communities, Habitat for Humanity at UWM, UWM Center for Volunteerism & Student Leadership, UWM Student Association, UWM Center for Jewish Studies. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 7:35 AM
For someone I never had the joy of meeting...
For a beautiful fellow dancer, may you truly dance in the skies and let the swirling clouds be shaped by your feet and the wind be made by your hands, I will remember you this sunset.
All of my Love and condolences... ATS Dancer Joanna |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 7:46 AM
For our loss sister
Taken too young...
My heart goes out to her family and friends and the survivors of this terrible act of violence. Her memory will not be forgotten. Each time any of us dance, she will live again.... |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 7:50 AM
Please let her family know more condolences are sent from the Kansas Community. I'll be sure to dedicate a candle dance to her.
Roya, Spirit-Dancer |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 8:12 AM
Beautiful
She was so beautiful.
In my minds eye I see her dancing for the angels with a white costume on with white flowers in her hair. That smile shinning and the angels clapping with the rhythm of her music. I got my zills out and rang them for her! |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 8:43 AM
For Reema's family and friends
The story of Reema's death came as a very sad shock. I'm a hobbyist belly dancer who works as a secretary at the University of Minnesota. Hearing about the tragedy at Virgina Tech was a double shock, both because Reema is a dancer and because she was on a college campus. Reema and all of the other students and professors are on my mind a lot. I pray for peace and comfort for everyone who is dealing with this terrible loss.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 8:59 AM
Celebrate Their Beautiful Lives
Let us all dance in Reema's memory and celebrate the lives and spirits of all of those that were lost that tragic day. May our dancing be a joyful celebration of their lives to ease their spirits from this earthly plane and on to the next.
With deepest sympathy, Maiya |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 9:01 AM
She is remembered...
Reema's loss is felt deeply all over the world, by women and men who never knew her, because of the common thread we shared in dance, and because of the connected love for each other we have as a community. These words of love and condolences are not given lightly - we have shed tears for this young girl and for everyone taken on that tragic day.
To her family and friends - I hope you find peace and solace knowing that your loved one was so cherished, even by those who had never met her. She is in our thoughts, and she is always with us. Namaste - my soul bows to yours. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 9:06 AM
It has often been spoken that dance is G-d's own language. May she find joy and peace. Our thoughts and energies are with her.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 9:47 AM
Blessed Be to a beautiful dancer. May the light guide her to a place of enlightment and safety. My heart goes out to her family and all who knew her. Blessed Be.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 9:55 AM
My heartfelt condolences to Reema's friends & family. Dance is something that connects us all & so many of us feel like we knew her even though we never met.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 10:02 AM
My heart goes out to Reema's family and friends and to all those who lost a love one in this horible tradgedy. Love and Peace to all.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 10:38 AM
I am overwhelmed. My heart aches for the loss of a sister I never met, and now never will meet.
Let's dance that much more fervently in celebration of Reema's life. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 10:53 AM
ALthough we have never met on this physical plane, we have met in my heart and prayers for you, your family and your sisters in dance.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 11:03 AM
My deepest condolences to Reema's family, friends, and fellow dancers.
May the memory of her joy, smile, and exuberance stay in your memories forever and give you peace. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 11:36 AM
Beautiful Lady
So sorry to hear of the tragic loss of Reema, a beautiful lady and dancer. Hugs to her grieving family and friends.
I will dedicate my next performance to her. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 12:02 PM
I am sorry to have never met her. I am sure even in death her dancing will be remembered by those who beheld her. Much love and light to her friends, family, and troupemates.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 1:11 PM
Heavenly Dancer
May peace, love and healing find Reema's family. Earthly dance has lost a beautiful soul but the angels now have a new dance sister. May her family find comfort in knowing that Reema's has touched a multitude of hearts around the world. Her joy will live on.
My zills ring for you, my sister in dance. |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 1:14 PM
This loss is so heartbreaking. Loving thoughts to her friends and family.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 1:42 PM
My thoughts and prayers to Reema's family and all who knew her. Although her light has been extinguished in this exsitence, it will continue to burn brightly through memories. I wish peace and love to her family.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 2:01 PM
A light that has moved on
My condolences to Reema's families and friends, and to those who had seen her dance. She is dancing in the heavens now, the stars under her feet, the moon in her hair, and the sun in her smile.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 3:17 PM
My love and kind thoughts go out to Reema's family and friends. This has touched people on a worldwide basis, know that people from all over the world are thinking of you and sending out loving support at this time. Many hugs.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 3:34 PM
What a beautiful girl...May she rest in peace. And comfort be plentiful to her family..The whole thing is heartbreaking.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 3:59 PM
I never knew you Reema, but I and the rest of your belly-sisters and -brothers will miss you. Dance for us always, wherever you are.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 5:44 PM
And just that suddenly, the tragedy becomes personal. I've shed many tears for the victims in these last two days. Now my tears have a face to fall upon.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 5:44 PM
Such a beautiful girl. You can see the kindness in her eyes. I'm sure she inspired others with her dance. That's something that will live on.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 6:46 PM
Thinking of Reema
I never knew Reema, never had any contact with her. But we shared something important - a love for Oriental dance. My thoughts and condolences are with her family tonight - both the family she grew up with, and also her family of dance sisters at Virginia Tech. If only I could be there to hug those who loved Reema, offer my condolences, and do a dance to honor her.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 6:51 PM
Thanks, Ignatius (people.tribe.net/ignatius-tse) for this additional information...
You can leave comments at the New York Times topics.nytimes.com/top/refe...ndex.html news.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/0...samaha/ You can also visit her facebook profile www.facebook.com/group.php |
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 7:19 PM
Wishing Reema peace...
Such a beautiful spirit - and taken so young! I hope wherever she is now there is lovely music, joyous dancing, and peace.
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Thu, April 19, 2007 - 10:42 PM
Sending our prayers of strength and peace for Reema's entire family, friends, and those families of the others also.
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Fri, April 20, 2007 - 5:20 AM
Memorial Fund for Reema
See the complete thread on bhuz: www.bhuz.com/forum/showthread.phpThe following was posted on bhuz by Souzan: The response from the Bhuz community has been wonderful! I think seeing Reema's pictures and videos and hearing from her family about how much she loved dance and live has hit us all very personally. And I am pleased that I can help you all find a way to memoralize a young life that ended too soon. I just spoke with the director of gifts at the Virginia Tech Development Foundation about setting up a memorial fund in the name of Reema Samaha, the young Lebaneses American middle eastern dancer who was killed in the terrible attack on Monday. The foundation will set up a fund in Reema's name that we can donate any amount we want to into. For the time being the purpose for which the fund would be used is being listed as assisting a VT student who is a member of the Middle Eastern Dance Association at that university. Mr. Clark, the gentleman I spoke to, suggested this designation until it is determined how much money might be donated. The amount of money would determine whether it would be a one-time gift or an annual award. The foundation will be getting back to me with details about how to make donations once they have the actual account for the fund set up. In addition to personal gifts, you might consider making donations from the proceeds of haflas or other events. If there is enough money in the fun it could be used for a scholarship for a young woman studying dance at the university. More information soon. Souzan |
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Fri, April 20, 2007 - 7:59 AM
Sorrow
It is a sad time for all. As a parent of 2 college age kids and 1 soon to head that way - I am beyond words to express my sorrow for the families of all the victims.
She has a light about her that I am sure she is using to guide her in her way now. My thoughts go to her troupe 'Hill and Veil ' and her friends and family. Kani'uhu , Devi |
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Fri, April 20, 2007 - 10:00 AM
Remembered from Far Away
To the beautiful ladies of Hill and Veil, and to Reema's Family, I am so saddened to hear of your tragic loss, my heart aches for you.
I hope it provides some small comfort to know that her gift of dance and the beautiful picture of her here will be honored, celebrated, and remembered in the days to come by so many dance sisters. Strength, Love, and Peace be with you, Salena |
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Fri, April 20, 2007 - 10:26 AM
Such a tragic and absurd loss
All my thoughts go to Reema's family and friends Soo sad to hear about this I am sure she is looking serene and wise from above and sends love to all the people that miss her |
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Fri, April 20, 2007 - 11:24 AM
May the Mother hold you in her arms in peace and comfort till your soul can return and dance again
Blessings and strengh to family and friends |
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Fri, April 20, 2007 - 12:06 PM
My prayer are her and the family.May the lord and Lady watch over them in this dark time.
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Fri, April 20, 2007 - 5:25 PM
My sympathy to the friends and family of this lovely girl. I will pray for you.
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