In Memory of Judy

Judy enriched my, as well as many other people's lives, during her stay on Earth. She was the organizer, the planner, the social director, the one who brought so many people together. She was warm and exceedingly generous. She loved to laugh and be a little girl around me and was grateful to have the freedom to "let her hair down" around me. She was an admirable and happy woman who always put others first. She loved to travel and gave me my deep love of Ireland and most things Irish. I will always love her for what she gave to my life--changed it in so many ways including making me an East Coaster. I'm certain that she had a part in bringing Cindy & I together, why my life is so good now. I am a much better human being having known her and I intend to share that part of me with others, but, most dearly, with Cindy.

Some people would ask how could I both place a Memorial Page to Judy and yet talk about Cindy as I do? Because Judy wanted it this way. We talked about it before she died and she'd wanted me to find someone. She must have helped, because there is no one I could have met that was so perfectly matched, with so many things in common, and in such an unorthodoxed way, than Cindy. Judy knew me better than anyone and knew that she wanted this kind of happiness for me--she was that kind of loving soulmate.

Judy loved to take pictures and she left us with many pictures--the world through her eyes. These pictures of her were discovered after her death as part of some shots that the shutter did not travel correctly thus causing some black areas to obscure her face. I thought though that the quality of the pictures warranted them being saved. And so I spliced them together and hope you like them as much as I do. I think she was showing off her new haircut that day....

I discovered a poem from the book Angelfire, A Journal of Loss and Rediscovery, by Chris Foster. He lost his wife suddenly from a stroke and wrote about it mixing his skill as a journalist, and with the heart of a poet. Here, he quotes a greeting card by Colleen Corah Hitchcock. Thanks to Colleen for allowing me to share this poem. It touched me very deeply and I think not only can speak to me, but all those who knew and loved her. I hope you find it a comfort and a reassurance that she is well.

And if I go,

while you are still here...

Know that I live on,

vibrating to a different measure

--behind a thin veil you cannot see through.

You will not see me,

so you must have faith.

I wait for the time when we can soar together again,

--both aware of each other.

Until then,

live your life to its fullest and when you need me,

Just whisper my name in your heart,

...I will be there.