Taye Nakamura-Koyama

I have a candle on my altar for Taye & your family with her picture. She is also being remembered at the Dharma Center. Olivia felt a special connection with Taye that I did not realize. Taye actually "protected" her on occasion from bullying and she was really looking forward to skiing with her most of the olders.

I will never forget the first time I laid eyes on the amazing Miss Taye. 2004, we had just moved to Bend and I was volunteering in the first grade classroom which, as anyone who has ever volunteered in a first grade class knows, is all about damage control.  I felt a little tug on my clothing and looked down to see Miss Taye, sweet face, straight bangs, big dark eyes with round glasses, "Excuse me.  How do you spell Komodo Dragon?"  She was holding several sheets of paper that she had folded and stapled into a book and was writing and illustrating a creative fantasy story...while the other kids were practicing their ABC's and sounding out words.  Wow!  What a star, way back then and still now, shining up in the face of the sky reminding us all to go for it and be the best that we can be.  Shine on, Miss Taye, shine on!

     You've been a part of our lives as far back as we can remember, and a good friend to both of us.  
     You and Alex created a whole line of toys called squeegees and we remember trying to sell them, making gift cards and a little website for your products.
     You, Alex and Gordon used to all sit three to a seat on the bus every day in elementary and Alex always came home with some weird thing you guys had all made up together that day. 
     Later after elementary school, we all began Nordic skiing with MBSEF. Though we didn't know many people at the MBSEF camps, we knew you'd be there every time, and you were someone we both knew. 
     You were fun to have around for a good laugh, especially on long trips. 
     Like the time someone asked why you were always drinking soy milk, to which you replied 
     "I'm not drinking regular milk! That came out of a cow's boob! Have you ever looked at one of those things?"
We still think that was hilarious.
     Though we all kind of grew apart in these last few years, you were a good close friend early on, and made up a huge part of both of our childhoods.  
     Every memory that we shared was a great one, and you'll never be forgotten among the Martin family.

 

We went to the Mt. Bachelor Nordic Lodge today for a picnic on the deck there.  I wanted all your aunts and uncles and grandmas to see the place you probably loved most of all in the winter.
  It was a lovely blue bird day.  The last time we were there you were getting ready for the transition from Annie skating in, to you going off on your bike during the PPP.
  I think if you were there with us, you'd be   a) probably embarassed by us and b) would have probably brought your skis to distance yourself from all the crazy relatives eating lunch on the Nordic deck.
   I ran into Sue Foster, head of Nordic skiing there, she saved you so many times, when you forgot boots or poles, or even gloves, she says she will always remember you sitting in your favorite spot, in front of the wood burning stove, drawing a picture.  I savor that image.
   I missed you so much today.  I wanted you out there eating lunch on the deck, looking over at the Alpine side.  Kiki's home for you now, she trained Alpine, and don't be mad at her, she's using all your old Alpine race equipment, but I'm pretty sure it's too small and too short for her.  She misses you too.
  We will all miss you schooling us on Nordic/Backcountry skiing in Wyoming.  Who's going to break trail for us now?
  Oh Taye you are so loved, and so missed by your family.  I'm sorry if we embarassed you by our goofiness.

My first memory was meeting you at the Ski Swap.  Jake and you were in first grade.  We just moved here from Maui.  You ran up to Jake and gave him a big hug and then picked him up.  You made me laugh! You always made me laugh or chuckle when I was a parent volunteer in elementry school; I never knew what you were going to say.  I was able to watch your art work flourish throughout the years.  You were always very, very good. Awhile back I came across some art you had drawn for Jake, from years ago, I wish I could remember where I put it!

Even though we didn't see you much in recent years, we did see you receive many awards and place in many races, your name in the paper numerous times and your artwork at school.  You are gone way too soon Taye!  You are a beautiful spirit and we are so heartbroken and sad to have you gone so soon!

ALOHA NUI LOA ~ WITH BIG HUGS FROM ALL OF US ~~~