A Tribute to Andrea Stallsworth Rice

by Kristine Hallbom

Andrea was born in Arlington, Texas on February 11, 1946. She moved to Austin in 1968 and obtained a Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of Texas. Andrea had a tremendous amount of experience working as a counselor and therapist with individuals and couples. In December of 1991, she married Dr. Jonathon Rice, a union she considered her greatest blessing.

In addition to having a kind and loving heart, Andrea was a delightfully magical and fun person to be around. She had long flowing white hair, sparkley blue eyes, and spoke with a warm southern Texas drawl. She was a talented artist and had a great passion for dancing. She loved animals of all kinds, most especially horses. She was a skilled horsewoman and shared the joys of riding with others.

I remember one time when I was staying with Andrea in Texas. I had never ridden a horse before, and Andrea decided it was time that I learn to ride. The sun had already set, and I could see the shiny stars in the nighttime sky. Andrea helped me up on the horse and instructed me to ride in circles around the starlit arena. As I was riding, she started speaking in a hypnotic voice tone from the side of the arena and instructed me to let go of the horse reigns and to ride with my arms in the air. Then she told me to release my feet from the gear, and to close my eyes. With my arms flying through the night air, my feet swinging out of gear, and my eyes tightly shut, I rode around in circles as Andrea continued her hypnotic induction. She told me I could do anything, and I believed her. I was riding on a horse with my eyes shut in the middle of the wee hours! That was my first riding lesson with Andrea.

The last time I spoke with Andrea was around Christmas time. I asked her if she was at peace with everything. She told me that she was at peace with herself and her life. She also said, "Live life one day at a time, and be grateful for everything that you have."

"Life is beautiful," she added with a gleam in her voice.

"We never know when it is going to be our time. One day we could be here, and the next day we could be gone. It is best to live life day by day, to be thankful for what we do have, and to stay in the present moment," she said.

That was the last time I spoke with Andrea. Of course, I told her that we would talk again, but we both knew that was the last time we would ever speak to one another. It was after that phone call that I shed my tears for Andrea. When I heard that she had passed away a few weeks later, I felt relieved that she had finally stepped into the other world. It had been a long battle, too long of a battle. I'm sure she has made many new friends on her journey. I can only imagine Andrea is somewhere special, having a great conversation, passing along her pearls of wisdom.

When I remember Andrea, I can see her beautiful, full head of hair like the mane of a warrior.

I recall the sparkle of her eyes shining the vision of a sorceress.

I hear the curiosity in the tone of her voice resonant with the fascination of an explorer.

Most importantly, I sense the grace of her movement radiating the elegance of a dancer.

In my last interactions with Andrea, I realized how important dancing was to her, and to her sense of vitality and identity.

Andrea, wherever you are, I know that you are dancing with all of your passion and grace, just as you will always dance in my heart.

... Robert Dilts

I will miss my friend.

Tim Hallbom

Andrea and I had so much in common. She and I both loved horses and shared a passion for dancing. One of the pictures I will always hold in my mind of her is the Fourth of July we spent in Vail, Co. A group of us were having a wonderful time while waiting to watch the fireworks being displayed across a pretty little lake, high in the Rocky Mountains. It was a perfect evening. We were picnicking on the grass, listening to the music that was being piped over the entire area and some of us started to dance. There Andrea was, on top of a flat rock with the moon off to the left, the stars in the sky behind her flowing white hair and the look of pure joy on her face as she moved to the music. This was an example of her way of living to the fullest!

I will miss my friend.

Remembering Andrea Rice

As Andrea rides into the sunset of her life, she leaves behind a great many people whose lives she touched. Through connections with her, change came to their lives in ways many could never imagine. I can hear the gratitude in their voices, even though it is not gratitude they are directly speaking of. I can hear the sadness in their voices, sadness in knowing that they will not be able to sit in her company and hear her words. I hear Andrea's words and they say something like: "Yes, you are sad and are grieving a loss. Instead of pushing those feelings away, sit with them, experience those feelings. Let them envelop you. After a time, a sense of peace and understanding will come to you." For those of us who will miss her, as this peace and understanding washes over us, the tears and pain will be replaced by smiles and feelings of joy that we did indeed have a chance to know Andrea; experience her energy, passion and hear those life changing words!

This page and all contents are Copyright 2000 by Anchor Point, Salt Lake City, Utah, May not be reprinted without permission from Anchor Point Institute, LLC.