August 19, 2020
It's Sarah Catherine Pomeroy's birthday today! Thirty
years of our amazing daughter! Sarah has played the piano since she has
been about 6 years old. She can play classical, Broadway show tunes, and
most importantly she can play jazz. One of Sarah's favorite pieces of
music is Take Five by Dave Brubeck. I have thought over the last few days,
about how that piece of music correlates with her life.
First and foremost, Take Five is in 5/4 time. Paul
Desmond who was Brubeck's alto saxophonist wrote this amazing song, in the
unusual 5/4 meter. It sets the song apart from other jazz standards.
Almost everyone knows how Take Five begins, and if you don't, as soon as
the left hand starts, you will know. Just as that 5/4-time meter sets the
song apart, the rhythm of Sarah's life sets her apart. In the past 30
years, Sarah has internalized her own particular beat, and marches to it,
loving us and Michael and standing by her many wonderful friends.
Jazz music, has the ability to calm folks down, and gives
most of us a chance to focus on the actual music. Sarah is simply like
jazz. She can calm her crazy anxious mom down, and also has the ability
to make friends and family feel at ease.
In that way her family and friends can focus on a particular issue, a
funny story, or any of the other exciting things going on in her
life.
Take Five as envisioned by Dave Brubeck and Paul Desmond is
about collaboration! And our own Sarah Pomeroy is also about being
collaborative. She has been bringing friends together, since her marching
band days at Watterson. She never neglected her Watte high posse, which
is incredible. At Michigan State, she managed to forge amazing
friendships, and marched to her own person beat, befriending professors,
students and marching right to the Presidency of the Michigan State University
Residence Hall Association. And always listening to her own beat,
with grace, and good humor.
Moritz College of Law was where she shook things up, just
the way the song Take Five did. She managed to live at home with the
folks, while still studying her derriere off, and being part of a wide variety
of law school activities. Sar has so many cherished friends from law
school, and we got a glimpse of those relationships, when various law pals
would pass through chez Heischman.
Sarah began her career as an associate at Jones Day in Washington
DC. Again, she found her rhythm there, and again forged wonderful
friendships. But she knew that her real beat, the pulse on which she
moves through life was in public service. So, she came back to Columbus
and is currently working with the City Attorney in the Zone Initiative
group. Often in jazz there are solos, but in the case of her
current job, she is part of an amazing collaborative team with wonderful young
lawyers. at the Zone Initiative, and I have never seen her happier professionally
than she is right now. She is also
collaborating with wonderful friends who are part of the New Leaders Council –
NLC.
So, on her 30th birthday, I think I can say what many
critics have said about Take Five....it is a joy. That aptly describes
what Mark, moi and Michael think about Sarah – yes, she's an absolute
joy. Thanks for taking care of Michael like the wonderful big sister you
are. And thanks for sharing your views
and thoughts on everything Sar. Happy
birthday Sarah Catherine Pomeroy. Thanks for being a wonderful daughter
and sister, and making our lives absolutely so much fun!
Love Mom Dad and Michael
