LIFE'S BETTER IN THE MOUNTAINS

Wednesday, February 22, 2012

A Good Neighbor

We have lost a good neighbor.  She was one of the first neighbors to welcome us into the community.  She loved dogs and we would often pass each other while walking our dogs.  We couldn't walk together because her little Toby did not like our Golden Girls.

Not long after we moved here several weeks went by without my seeing her.  When I saw her again she was extremely pale.  She knew that I was a nurse and she told me she had just completed another round of chemo.  She had multiple myleoma.

She was a talented artist and teacher and established an AP art program during her thirty years of teaching art.  She belonged to an artist co-op and showed and sold her work.


This is a card she painted for my husband when he was the injured player.
Inside she wrote that she hoped he would be on his feet the way he wanted to be;  hence the big shoes on the whimsical duck.  The water color is painted on scrap and glued in place.




She was one of the most upbeat people I have known.  Deeply religious and not afraid to die she didn't want to go any sooner than she had to.  So she endured treatment after treatment; complication after complication.  She would keep me posted on the latest experimental protocol her oncologist had found.  She always found something to laugh about no matter how bad the treatment or the complication.  When she died she was working on a book of cartoons about her experiences as a cancer patient.  She found humor even in dealing with cancer.

She appreciated and thoroughly enjoyed every respite she received from the wicked disease.  When she was too weak to walk two blocks, she walked one.  When she was too weak to do the shopping she went to the grocery store with her husband and sat at the coffee kiosk while he did the shopping.  She fell in love with her iPad because it allowed her to do things so much more easily when she wasn't feeling well.  Like me, she read a lot and often gave me recommendations for new books to read.

During her good periods she volunteered at a local charity that provides food, clothing and other services to people in need.  She was active in her church work.  Whenever someone in our neighborhood was not feeling well, she would appear at the door with her delicious date bread, a smile and a prayer.

Recently she developed kidney failure, not uncommon for people with multiple myeloma.  Having exhausted all other treatment options she decided that twelve years living with this disease was long enough.  She decided not to undergo dialysis and she died peacefully surrounded by her family.

 This was her smile.  Genuine and always there.

Godspeed, dear Julie.  I will miss you.

19 comments:

Taradharma said...

Yes, Godspeed. What a lovely soul! Sounds as if she lived her life to the fullest. You have written a beautiful tribute.

Tucker The Crestie said...

What a lovely tribute. Julie sounds like an amazing person and our thoughts and prayers are with you as you grieve the loss of such a special friend and neighbor.

The Bug said...

I'm so sorry for your loss - and happy for her peaceful passing...

Ginnie said...

What a lovely tribute to your friend Julie. Doesn't it make your life richer for having known her and I'll bet you have many of the same qualities.

Rudee said...

Your tribute to her is beautiful. It sounds like she was a wonderful woman and friend.

My condolences.

Dog_geek said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like a wonderful person, and I'm sure you are the better for having known her.

George said...

This is a very moving tribute to a marvelous neighbor and friend. I'm sure she will be missed.

Arkansas Patti said...

I am so sorry you lost such a wonderful person from your life. She certainly left her foot prints on your soul.
A lovely tribute for a lovely person. Her struggles are over.

Janet, The Queen of Seaford said...

My best friend's husband died from kidney failure while under going treatment for multiple myleoma. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.

KB said...

Your tribute brought tears to my eyes. I think that our world lost a very special person and you lost an extraordinary friend. I am so sorry for your loss.

I adore the card that she made for your husband. It is whimsical and makes me smile. It is a wonderful keepsake.

carolina nana said...

Sounds like she was a truly lovely lady and I'm sure she is shouting for joy today.
Blessings to you
Marilyn

Ms. A said...

God bless her and we are assured she will no longer suffer. I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend. Blessings.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for sharing her with us. My sympathies to all who knew and loved her.

Cheryl said...

God bless her. She sounds a lovely soul and I can understand you will miss her very much.
How lucky you were to have such a wonderful neighbour.

A tribute to touch the heart......

KGMom said...

Thank you for this sweet tribute. Even if I didn't know Julie, your words help me be touched by her life.

Busy Bee Suz said...

What a very special person indeed. May she have NO pain or worries in Heaven...and she can paint to her hearts delight.
A lovely tribute.
xo

NCmountainwoman said...

Thank you all for your comments. Julie's husband is doing as well as could be expected. But it breaks my heart to see him walking Toby all alone.

Karin said...

My heartfelt sympathies in the loss of your good neighbor and friend! You have written such a beautiful tribute which indicates that her life made a huge difference and touched so many! May God comfort all the family and friends!

Cicero Sings said...

I love her whimsical card. What a grand lady she sounds. I know she has taken heaven by storm and is enjoying herself thoroughly. Been missing my own D of late ... that kindred spirit. Kindred spirits are hard to find.