Farewell to a dear friend

Yesterday I lost one of my best friends. She was 94 years old.

My heart is heavy but I also know that she is with her Lord and Saviour and that is where she has longed to be for many years.

I owe credit in bunch loads to this woman for inspiring and helping me to grow into the person I am now. She taught me so much about unconditional love and acceptance and grace and patience and dedication and has for the last 10 years held a very deep and special place in my heart.

I don't even know where to start with describing what she meant to me. I know she wouldn't want the world to know all her trials so I'll just brief a bit of it.

She was amazing! Done.

Ok, well, this is tough, (swallowing hard) I just know words wont get out what I feel.

Marion lived a very full life. She had office jobs and dental nurse jobs, was a technician (just like me) and was an artist. She painted around the world and I LOVE her work! Especially this one of the ocean, it is so raw and endless. Oh and the one that she did overlooking a bay with a building on the cliff in the distance, she captured the warm sun glow perfectly! She never raved about herself and was so meek about it but she really was so talented. She did silk screening and did her own dark room developing of photography. She created stunning pergamano cards and had the most incredible unique stone jewelry.

She raised her two children while traveling and being a busy forces wife and still managed to be creative.

In her 70's or 80's, I cannot remember now, but she walked the wall of China and went to the Amazon! She grabbed moments and took trips. She did things she wanted to and pursued her interests. She never let herself get 'old' and was always active, even driving her own car up until a few years ago. I want to be like her!

In so many ways I felt that we were kindred hearts. We would sit and talk about growing up in the meeting (church) and read and sing together. Then over a cup or 4 of tea and cookies we would and talk and talk about anything from marriage and relationships to art techniques, child raising, flowers and politics.

There was not a topic we didn't broach, well, ok, maybe a few but what I am saying is that we had an open relationship. It was so liberating and relaxed. I never felt that there were over 60 years between us. It was just a really easy friendship. Gaaa, I loved that woman!

There is more but I am a little emotional so that is all for now.

Tonight I am raising my glass to Marion!

xoxo