Welcome to TEAM EVA's Google site

Team Eva    -       by Louise

 

This is about Eva and how and why Team Eva was created.

 

In 2006 a group of friends and co-workers participated in a triathlon, Seattle’s Escape from the Rock at Luther Burbank Park on Mercer Island. During the swim Eva became unwell in the water we got her out, but sadly Eva died three days later at Harborview.

 

 

I remember how happy she was the day before, at packet pick up. Eva did not stop talking! As we drove she would tell me about the different areas we were driving through and about her daughter Anna. She was so animated and excited.

 

After she died people came up to me and would tell me  how excited she had been about the triathlon, how she had been swimming when she was in  Sweden and that she had been biking on the Burke Gilman, losing weight and that she felt good. It was clear that she was happy.

 

As we were waiting to say goodbye to Eva at Harborview, Team Eva was born.  

 

Like a lot of us Eva ignored health issues that she had. I know I am still mad with her and I know plenty of other people who still are. But that was our Eva. She is very much missed by her family and friends. She left a gaping hole at Group Health for whom she worked for many years in the Department of Anesthesia where she is sorely missed.

This is why Team Eva is really important. Eva left us with a reason to go ahead and create this team. Eva means Life and Eva gave life to many both during her life and in her death.  Team Eva is about doing a sport for fun, with the support of your fellow team members and about being healthy and safe doing it. So physicals please everyone, if just one medical issue is picked up on it will have been worth it.

 

Finally, at the triathlon a blue heron was seen for some reason this stuck in my mind so I looked up its meaning. The following is description of this bird but from what I have learnt about Eva it could almost be a description of her.

Blue Heron - The Meaning:

 

According to North American Native tradition, the Blue Heron brings messages of self-determination and self-reliance. They represent an ability to progress and evolve. The long thin legs of the heron reflect that an individual doesn't need great massive pillars to remain stable, but must be able to stand on one's own.

Blue Herons have the innate wisdom of being able to maneuve through life and co-create their own circumstances. Blue Herons reflect a need for those with this totem to follow their on unique wisdom and path of self-determination. These individuals know what is best for themselves and need to follow their hearts rather than the promptings of others. Those with the Medicine of the Great Blue Heron may sit until the rest of us loose patience. And, when they follow the promptings of the heart, they are one of the most magnificent when they choose to soar.

 

Like the Blue Heron I hope that Team Eva will also progress and evolve. A fitting memorial, for a unique individual. 

 

Eva Israelsson

 

December 21, 1943 to September 12, 2006

 

 

 

TEAM EVA

 

September 12, 2006 to date