Star Walker of the Month
December, 2006
Paul Allen Knopf
March 21st 1977 – December 20th, 2002
by – G. K. Holland
“You are not only good yourself, but the
cause of good in others….” - Socrates
The Star Walker of the Month for December 2006 is a man by the name of Paul Allen Knopf. The majority of us of course probably know someone who is no longer with us, but who in some way have left an indelible mark on all those they came in contact with while they were still here. We remember those we lose in all their moments of triumph and even those moments of sadness or disappointment. And yet, it is those subtle and not so subtle nuances of life that make life such a divine gift. And even more importantly moments and memories of those loved ones lost reminds us of the eloquent and prolific simplicity of the deeper meaning of the experiences we shared with them. And of course Christmas brings up for most of us many deep emotions pertaining to those close to us.
Paul Allen was such a man. His life of selflessness and deep genuine ‘real world’ sincerity is worth remembering. His very presence has left foot prints forever marked in time and beyond consequence or mere chance. Paul Allen was a man loved by many. The fact that his name and memories of his life has found its way to become our Star Walker of the Month for December 2006, says a lot about those things meant to be, lessons meant to be shared, and experiences meant to be learned when time chooses that it be so. And so, this month all of us here at Star Walker honor and remember Paul Allen Knopf.
I personally have felt the love that Paul Allen’s beloved sister Sascha Knopf (noted actress and photographer) has for him. She still holds a deep sibling love so close, and so deeply in her heart for her brother that is it inspiring, heart felt, and moving. I have seen this in the delicacy or her words in reference about her brother, in the joyful memories of her brother which will obviously never die away. And further, somehow I sense that the tragedy of his death has also brought some long lasting mysterious gift yet still poised, waiting to reveal its true fullness. Rarely can we find such love for a family member as I have seen and felt from Sascha for her brother Paul. Paul Allen was blessed to have been, and to be continually loved by his family so unceasingly. He was also blessed with many amicable and enduring social attributes. An excerpt from an article celebrating and remembering Paul Allen’s life, and published in The Mountain Times of Vermont on January 2nd of 2003, reads: “But more than anything Paul was a great friend. He was one of those friends that only come along once in a life time.”
At 25 years of age, goodbyes were given to Paul Allen Knopf to a stand room only crowd. Many of his friends took turns explaining how Paul’s presence had impacted their lives. All of their stories were unique and different and gave a good image of the immense impact he had on all he had met.
The love of the Knopf family proves that the sacred bond and tie of family stretches beyond mere shared DNA blood lines, but into something much more profound and lasting. Even beyond remembering, beyond the pain of loss, beyond the many unsung songs we find in that place of sadness when we lose those close to us, beyond love, something indescribable simply compels us to remember those we have lost in the simplest ways. The time they were here on earth with us, lifts and inspires us in ways that we sometimes can not even quite understand. And yet more than often, we are usually forever better, forever transformed, for them having been in our lives. But as our loved ones have moved on, so must we do like wise. Because to remain stagnant, emotionally crippled by the tragedy of loss is perhaps contrary to the ‘why’ of them having been here, and in our lives in the first place.
And so this month, we remember Paul Allen Knopf. A man who once lived in Killington Vermont, who now lives in a higher place, and forever in the hearts of those he left behind. We find his legacy of loyal friendship and as a true committed family member worth honoring. The Holidays are always of course especially emotional and intense for many of us due to its religious tone and theme. The Holidays always seems to either bring families closer together or in some ways ironically further apart, as the Holidays sometimes ignite long standing dysfunctional family traditions.
We here at Star Walker also share in some way, the feeling of loss for never having had the opportunity to meet this very special man who even now some four years after his untimely death, continues to leave his mark on the world.
It is our sincere hope that the simplicity of this humble remembrance be embraced with a sincere heart, so that the humanitarian spirit in which this is written might in some way inspire you to love those around you just a bit more, to hug them just a little longer, to smile at them a little more frequently, to laugh with them a little more often, to spend time with them a little more deeply, to tell them that you love them a little more sincerely, to cry with them a little more openly, to share more of the most simplest moments of life with them, and to simply love them as if it were your last day with them on this earth. Certainly Christmas is a time of giving gifts and receiving gifts. So we here at Star Walker extend this remembrance of Mr. Paul Allen Knopf as our small gift to you, this Holiday season as a reminder of those things most important, family!
Paul Allen I’d like to personally thank you for being here and leaving such a gift of love deep within your sister’s Sascha’s heart, that I would be inspired to write this piece, so that others may feel it, and be moved to love their family more fully. May God bless and forever embrace your lovely spirit. You lived a life filled with abundant love for others. You embody what the Star Walkers are all about, which is goodness, loyalty, true friendship, excellence, courage, kindness, family, divine purpose and love. On behalf of your friends, your sister Sascha and the rest of the Knopf family , and simply as fellow human kind, in the spirit of the Star Walker Ken Ju Kai – Paul Allen Knopf we remember you because you are, a Star Walker.
To Star Walk – Click here and find Paul Allen’s star as he is forever remembered in the galaxy of the stars within the Star Walker Universe. View and watch the skies slowly fill in the coming months and years as the light of Star Walker, after Star Walker, after Star Walker fills the heavens. We do this as an interactive memorial and tribute to those who have through fate, destiny, and even under divine purpose, left the rest of us behind.
Commenteors – What other people have to say about this Star Walker of the Month, these commentaries are like comets and meteors, brief but prolific and enlightening – sure to leave a trail of insightfulness across your heart - what we call Commenteors.
Star Walker of the Month for January 2007 is Mother Teresa
Past Star Walkers of the Month:
November 2006 - Princess Diana