Wednesday, March 23, 2022
A letter of love to my best friend, "Dar"
You have taken up so much real estate in my heart. I am deeply grieved by your passing and deeply blessed to have called you my dear friend for so many years.
What could I offer that others don't already know about you?
That the sun rose and set on your grandbabies, Izzie and Owen, and your 3 fur babies? And that you were most proud of the women that Amanda and Brandie have become? If ever there was a pause in a conversation you were quick to fill it with your exuberance for those you loved.
How about our annual trips to the many local greenhouses that we could get to in one day followed by a joy-filled luncheon? Did others know how much you loved, loved, loved having breakfast at the Roadhouse?
How about your sincere joy and your patience at passing down the art of gardening and your love of nature to Izzie and Owen? You can take the girl off of the farm but you can't take the farm out of the girl.
Do they know that "service to others" was really your mojo? Whether it was participating in Amanda and Brandie's activities like Girl Guides; purchasing, planting and maintaining the Town's flower beds; fostering homeless fur babies; cat sitting for others; and going beyond to ensure that a senior citizen was not left wanting, and so much more.
You were such a home-body, Dar. With affection I say that you really, really loved feathering your nest. In recent years, "home" became so much more to you; it became a benchmark for successfully rising above yet another health challenge. Your cup always remained half full.
Could people see beyond your exuberance to the extraordinary warrior spirit that called you to rise up and face another physical challenge always with a quiet dignity? My friend, I have always admired you for your grit and I have been equally humbled by it.
Re-committing to your spiritual faith and finding your tribe in Hope Community Covenant fed your self-confidence and your sense of meaning especially after the loss of your beloved Pete. Meeting your friend, Eileen, is in my bucket list yet in many ways I feel like I already know her.
The Covid pandemic placed a 2 year hold on our annual summer rendezvous. In recent conversations we were hopeful that we would pick up where we left off for July 2022. Your cup was always half full.
Isaiah 43:1
"Fear not for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name. You are mine."
Always in my heart and my prayers,
Cindy
