Bringing Marta’s Memories Home: A Final Journey

My sister, Marta Pufahl, just recently passed in Mexico, losing a life-long fight battling addiction. Marta was a light even when consumed in her own darkness. She always brightened the day and life of everyone around her. There’s not a stranger we could come across that Marta could not strike up a conversation and connect with. Marta also received her masters degree from Vanderbilt in special education, and she had a loving and giving heart towards these children.

I am humbling myself and asking for help from those of you that are able to do so. Throughout our lives, me and my sister have always been close and both struggled with mental health and addiction. I recently discharged from active duty military and do not have a full time job at the moment. The location of her death has put a strain on us in so many ways, financially being one. What I am trying to do is just get what’s left of my sisters that remains in Mexico. She was more than a sister, but my best friend. For someone like Marta who has lost everything she’s had more than once, I just want to do right by her and be able to retrieve her belongings and get everything taken care of that needs to be taken care of. This is really important for me to do so. There are things of hers that I hold dear to my heart that I’d really like to have back here. With that being said, things are happening right now to be able to accomplish this but expenses are adding up.

Whatever is not used to help with retrieving her things will be donated to “Marta’s heart-Special Education” and will be used for the needs in special education classes throughout our county and/or donated to help those struggling and fighting their own battle with mental health and addiction.

Poem in loving memory of Marta Elizabeth Pufahl, written by Chelsea Carpenter:

It was you and me until the end, I was certain.

It kills me to know how bad you were hurting.

You made this world a better place.

Nowadays it hurts when I see your face.

I’d give anything just to go back.

Instead I’m surrounded by people dressed in black.

Your mind lied to you; you were not a burden.

You were my best friend, my sister, my person.

Sometimes this life isn’t too kind.

And you never know the state of someone’s mind.

I have to live on with you in my heart.

I can’t let this completely tear me apart.

I’ll keep on for you and treat those boys like my own.

And find peace in the fact that you made it home.

Thank you for taking the time to read and share this. Every little bit helps.