My beautiful friend Deborah lost her battle to cancer this morning at 7:07am.
Our hearts are with Steve, her husband, and their children, and grandchildren at this time.
Robert and I decided to do a hike to remember her and honor Steve.
We talked about the wonderful time we shared with them while we walked.
At the beginning of our hike I saw the largest white pine tree ever.
They were two trees that had become one. This tree reminded me
of our friends Deborah and Steve.
Robert saw a porcupine. The porcupine stayed still and watched us as we walked.
For two hours we walked up and down hills admiring the Autumn day.
Walking is the best thing to do for grief.
Golden rod was blooming.
After 45 minutes of walking we came to a wetland area.
I was always impressed with how kind Deborah was.
She treated everyone with respect. She never had an ill thing to say about anyone.
She was so well spoken. I loved listening to her beautiful voice describe vintage dresses
she found in various places. I loved to see some of these pieces. She showed me one
lady wearing one of her restored dress finds. Amazing how she could recognize
an important clothing find. I asked her once if she spent a lot of time studying the history
of fashion. She enjoyed finding vintage clothes so much.
We hiked and talked about all the times we were treated to amazing dinners with our friends.
We often dressed up in our finest. Sometimes our finest had not been worn in eight years!
We would try to find these restaurants. Once I was at the place on time, sat at the bar waiting,
when they were in the dining room waiting for me for an hour! They were so kind. They
were understanding always. I enjoyed meeting their daughters and two grandaughters, and a few grandsons during
these various dining experiences. I will say too, that this was early on in my painting career, where
eating out at a fine restaurant would not have happened. These occasions were the only entertainment
Robert and I had for many years. It was their company we most appreciated though. We knew they enjoyed us
as much as we enjoyed them.
I was at a DairyQueen this last June when Deborah called to let me know she had brain surgery
to remove brain tumors because the breast cancer had spread. She was doing better after
the surgery, was taking steriods, and was not going to have further treatment.
We laughed because I told her I was eating a giant banana split while we spoke on the phone.
I saw many rabbits chasing each other around, birds, a squirrel hanging out with a rabbit.
I told her you are never going to guess what I am seeing over here while we speak!
I asked her if she might come back to Maine. She decided she would love to come back. A few weeks later
Deborah and Steve arrived in Maine! We had a wonderful Italian dinner. I would gift them
a painting or sometimes two at most of these dinners. She enjoyed seeing what I selected for her.
I knew our time during this visit would be our last. I continued to text her and send her photos
of Maine. When I was in Florida visiting recently her ability to text became impossible.
The brain tumors were taking away her beautiful ability to communicate.
Deborah was a nursing supervisor at a Florida Hospital for many years.
She was a brilliant leader in the baby delivering department.
She impressed me with how much care she had with babies that did not survive, warming
them, and presenting them to the grieving Mother. She told me sometimes everything
was perfect but for some unknown reason the baby did not survive the delivery.
She spent much time with the Mothers in these situations understanding this was
an important part of a tragedy. Deborah was a very special person.
When my beautiful 14 year old golden retriever, Duke, had to be put to sleep because of
cancer back in Maine under the care of Robert,
while I was out of town in Florida at a plein air event, the worst place to lose a beloved dog; It was
Deborah and Steve, that drove an hour, picked me up, and took me to dinner to console me.
I was tearful at times during our dinner but they were so kind and patient. I would have
stayed in the condo on the beach if it were not for their efforts to come visit.
I remember thinking, "Boy am I glad I have friends like them!"
I was asked if I would paint with oils on a copper urn that will hold her ashes.
I told her Daughter Alison it would be a great honor. I will do my best.
My thoughts and prayers are with Deborah's family.
Rest in peace my lovely friend.
