Saying goodbye to a friend . . .
A memorial service was held on Sunday for my dear friend, Beverly M. I had been with her almost daily for the remaining weeks of her life, and when I couldn’t pay a visit, I called. Letting go was difficult for her. And me too. She was 82 and had lived life as an adventure. Her travels took her all over the world, from China to Russia and all the countries of Europe too. Greece was one of her favorite locations, but Paris was a favored destination too, perhaps because of her interest in art.
Besides being a nurse, she was an accomplished artist. Many of her paintings were on display at her service. Her off-spring let me choose one of them to hang in my own home as a remembrance of her. I chose a pastel water color. Unlike the few paintings I have done, hers are exceptional. She seriously studied painting and passed this gift on to one of her children who has worked in New York for many years now as a scene painter for any number of popular television shows. Beverly was so proud of Karen and the work she did.
She was also proud of her daughter, Linda, who too received the gift of the arts but she used the gift as a carpenter in residential homes for her many clients. Her son, Gary, though not an artist, is the proud father of two girls who appear to have been handed the “gift” also.
Beverly was a brave woman. She faced every adversity, and there were many, with indomitable faith, humility, grace and even a sense of humor. Being a long time member of a 12 step program gave her a strength and a willingness to believe that every thing that happens in God’s world can be survived. Indeed, one can grow spiritually with every adversity. She was unmistakably an example of this.
Beverly and I became friends immediately after her move to Naples approximately 16 years ago. She was one of those women I wanted to know when I first saw her walk through the door of a meeting I regularly attended. I no longer remember who struck up our first conversation, but from that moment on, friends we were. Even though I headed for MN for 6 months every year, my absence never negatively affected our friendship. We picked up just where we left off, year after year.
Counting her departure, I have had to say goodbye to five very good friends this year, three of them close women friends. It saddens me but since I am a believer in angels, and I don’t say this lightly, I know she is close at hand and I can call on her for help, just as I call on Joy and Cate and my mother too. Those we love are never gone; we simply have to reach out to them in prayer and meditation. I do so daily. The “conversation” helps roll away the boulders on my path.
How blessed I feel.
