Sarah graduated in June 1996 from Iowa Mennonite High School, in rural Kalona, Iowa. She then entered Bethel College in North Newton, Kansas, where she majored in Social Work.

Among her many interests are:

• Cello
• Cross-country running

On Monday, April 19, 1999, Sarah suffered severe head injuries in a 1-car accident near Knoxville, Tennessee, and died later that day without regaining consciousness. She will be sorely missed by her parents and her many friends!

"For I am convinced that there is nothing
in death or life,
in the realm of spirits or superhuman powers,
in the world as it is or the world as it shall be,
in the forces of the universe,
in heights or depths--
nothing in all creation
that can separate us from the love of God
in Christ Jesus our Lord."
-- Romans 8:38-39 (New English Bible)

"It is said of God that no one can behold His face and live. I always thought this meant that no one could see His splendor and live. A friend said perhaps it meant that no one could see His sorrow and live. Or perhaps His sorrow is splendor." (Nicholas Wolterstorff, Lament for a Son, Eerdmans Publishing, 1987)

Sarah Lee Bricker was born LEE, Jung-Hwa in Seoul Korea in February 1976. She was placed for adoption by Holt International Children's Service in the Bricker family-- parents Dennis and Melinda, and big brother (her "Opa") Matthew. She arrived in Iowa in 1984 with only two English words ("apple" and "toilet") but a repertoire of Korean children's songs, complete with handmotions (She charmed us all with her renditions of "Nabiya" [butterfly] and "San Togi" [rabbit].)

Sarah began first grade at Longfellow Elementary School, next door to her family's home on the east side of Iowa City, quickly learning a new language and a new culture. The Korean community in Iowa City provided her with encouragement and a link to her heritage.

Sarah played soccer in elementary school, joined the Brownies, and loved summer camps. She began cello lessons in fourth grade at Longfellow school, and continued to nurture her love of the instrument at Southeast Junior High School, Iowa Mennonite High School, Preucil School of Music (studying under David Evenchick), and Bethel College.

While in Southeast Junior High she also discovered an interest in track, especially the distance events, and even for a time held the school record for the 800 meter event. In high school she was drawn especially to the cross-country competition because of the camaraderie of the teams.

Sarah attended Iowa Mennonite High School in the rural Kalona area, commuting daily in car pools from Iowa City.

Even while in Korea she had expressed an ambition to become a social worker, and after high school graduation entered Bethel College, a Mennonite school in Newton Kansas, where she majored in social work and continued to develop her interest in the cello, playing in the college orchestra, string quartet, and other groups.

Perhaps it was providential that she discovered Chong's, a Korean restaurant in the middle of Kansas, which not only provided her with part-time work as a waitress while in college, but provided her with friendship and a close family-like atmosphere.

While in Kansas she developed a special friendship with Rodney Hood, with whom she planned a future. It was while driving to North Carolina where he had relocated that she had her fatal auto accident.

Sarah attended First Mennonite Church of Iowa City, where she was nurtured by so many supportive adults who surrounded her with God's love, encouraging her in her faith in Jesus. Her life was touched and blessed by many people, just as she also touched and blessed so many lives. We shall always be grateful to God for her too-brief time among us.

THE QUIET WATERS BY

1. It's funny the things that awaken
   grief. My mother's one shrunken sock
   labeled "Warner" in permanent marker
   reminds me how she wanted no tight
   clothing and didn't want her socks
   washed in hot water. The sock fits
   stiff and tight, proof that Place
   where she spent her last days
   was no home.
   Now I know how much I need to loosen
   and unbind in my life.

   My half-brother and I hiked
   into the woods from the Giant grocery
   still hearing the rumblings
   of trucks on Route 66, walked
   into the neighborhood woods
   where our mother,
   as a girl coming un-sick from polio,
   would walk trembling at dawn,
   reaching for a rock to steady her,
   make her way slowly to where
   the waterfall fell. We follow
   her path, make our way to "her place"
   and hold hands, then let go
   spilling carnations, where a year ago
   we spilled her ashes. Letting our anger
   soak in cold water,
   like her socks, we unbind our hatred
   and our half-ness is made whole--
   there are no half-brothers
   or half-sisters
   where there is peace.

    

2. When my father spots
   a shiny penny,
   he stoops down and picks it up,
   saying, "A penny for my kids."
   (He means God's kids.)
   Copper shining in the sun
   will always call to mind
   Sarah, her abundance of shine,
   shiny black hair, shy
   shiny smile, and in her blood
   too much copper, and in her spirit
   too much stubborn optimism--
   I'm fine. I'm fine.
   And she was fine, she was
   fine china, fine eyebrows
   painted with a fine brush
   like the doll with fine
   black hair brought to the airport
   to welcome her to America.
   
   
3. Sarah, how you struggled to know
   who and whose you were.
   Don't you see how much more real
   you are to us than any doll?

   Once you hid food
   under your pillow, fearful
   of an empty stomach.
   Now open the door of the refrigerator and see
   every corner filled abundantly
   with grace. There will be enough forever.

   When you heard your parents say
   Clean your room.
   Stand straight.
   Practice your cello.
   What they meant was A storm is coming!
   If only we could shelter you
   with our empty, outstretched arms.

   We call ourselves practicing Christians
   because all we can do is practice,
   practice giving and forgiving,
   forgiving and giving,
   practice like you practiced your music
   raising a bow above the strings
   of a borrowed cello
   waiting for the conductor's signal.

   Play, Sarah, play.
   Be stubborn for life. Play
   disciplined music. Play joy.
   Play in the life you gave
   through each precious part of your body,
   through your strong young heart.
   Play until water shines
   in our eyes.

--Margalea Warner, 4/24/99

You held strength & delicacy so inextricably.
Not-- one balanced in each hand
but worn-- interwoven as a garment's fabric:
Fine but bold
bright red & orange.
Strong fabric
with silk embroidery--
Slender twigs supporting fresh blossoms.

So much hope and love of life-- Stitched in place-- Immovable! Not only would the petals refuse to fall- They will not be faded or battered by life-- Though they could have withstood any new storm. The vibrant color and soft embroidery will be folded, smoothed, set in the paper of time & memory eternally young, alive through the hope and love of life that you inspire in me.

The vibrant color and soft embroidery will be folded, smoothed, set in the paper of time & memory eternally young, alive through the hope and love of life that you inspire in me.

So much hope and love of life-- Stitched in place-- Immovable!

--Charlotte Gingerich (friend & high school classmate)

Forever Young (click here for Peter, Paul, & Mary's rendition of the song)

May God bless and keep you always, May your wishes all come true, May you always do for others And let others do for you. May you build a ladder to the stars And climb on every rung, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young.

May you grow up to be righteous, May you grow up to be true, May you always know the truth And see the lights surrounding you. May you always be courageous, Stand upright and be strong, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young.

May your hands always be busy, May your feet always be swift, May you have a strong foundation When the winds of changes shift. May your heart always be joyful, May your song always be sung, May you stay forever young, Forever young, forever young, May you stay forever young.

-- Bob Dylan

Click here for assorted photos of Sarah, her friends & family.
Click here for excerpts from letters & notes of condolence about Sarah.

Click here to see information about another Sarah (Sarah Jin Brom, daughter of Steve and Joyce Brom) whose life history has some remarkable parallels: both were born in Seoul, both were adopted into American families at about the same age, both were "determination with a charming smile", and, sad to say, both died in automobile accidents at about the same age.

to Dennis Bricker's home page

Last modified: 14 January 2008