She lived in her own home until she was moved into hospice having stayed with her son for a week.
Her son put out word last week she was in hospice so the cards started pouring in to her, including mine. I always sent her one. Today, the load was over 500 and in a message from her son to me, he told me he had read them all to her including mine. And her smile was big and wide.
She was a life long smoker. Seriously. The big joke at hospice was that she finally quit at the age of 92 and was on the patch which made her laugh until she cried. That was the kind of woman she was.
I had her cut the ribbon when we had the grand opening of our community library a few years back. And she was my partner at cards in the community hall many, many times. She was extraordinarily sprightly and if I ever drove her anywhere she would leap out of my car and wait for me, laughing as I unfolded myself.
She lost a daughter to cancer about 3 years ago and it was the only time I saw her cry and cry. And I cried too as I held her.
She told me Ansa was the happiest dog she had ever seen in her life as she always had a smile on her face when she was with me. As if she knew I'd saved her. I told her it was a two way street as Ansa had saved me too. And she nodded. She knew.
She'd look for my light at night and I would look for hers and send a kiss across the meadows to her as she did to me even though we couldn't see each other due to the distance. A nightly ritual for years. Makes me teary now thinking of it.
Here is a picture of her collecting donations on the day we opened the community library. She always had a big smile and a great heart that included everyone. And who could resist donating to her? Look at that face!
Go to the stars, dear Theresa, you were adored by all who knew you.
The stars will shine brighter when she arrives. And everyone who knew her will have their light diminished. She sounds amazing.
ReplyDeleteShe was. An incredible woman for her time and era. Contented. I'd see her smoking at her window as I walked by with Ansa. A chain smoker. She loved her puzzles and her cards.
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She looks like her soul is happy; body and soul a match made in heaven.
ReplyDeleteShe was, she really noticed the small things about everyone but not in a gossippy way. I loved that about her. Plus she adored my dog.
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A great eulogy for no doubt a very cheerful and likeable soul. RIP.
ReplyDeleteYes, the "smallest" of lives can have the greatest impact, I am sure you've notice that too, Ramana?
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I tell my friends who are fumbling with the fate of their soul, we all are going to the stars. There is no more nor less than there ever was and star dust we will always be. Theresa was a star on earth, too.
ReplyDeleteYes I use that too Joanne, we are all stardust and yes, to this dust we return and to me it's a lovely thought.
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It would be nice to have someone say the same about ourselves.
ReplyDeleteNice of you.
Yes her life had quite an impact on me. She let me in a few times but it was the peace she had achieved that had the biggest impact. And her sense of fun. She loved to dance like a wild woman.
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That woman was indeed loved by you and so many others. Awesome story about the cards she has received. I hope she has a nice passing.
ReplyDeleteYes, it's close now but I was thrilled to see they have therapy dogs in the hospice where she is and one border collie (like Ansa) cuddled up to her on the bed.
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My condolences on the loss of a dear friend and heart sister.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
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What a lovely tribute. And what a glorious smile she had!
ReplyDeleteShe was such a contented woman. In spite of. At peace with all who knew her.
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She looks like a lovely lady, and that smile radiates pure joy. We're blessed by friends like these. They never really leave us, though we can't see them in the flesh they live on in our memories and we can send them a kiss across the universe.
ReplyDeleteSo true Deb. We never forget the kindness of others who have passed on. I have the sense of a warm hug at times from them when I think of them.
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What a wonderful tribute to her.
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