Facebook says you’re gone,
Like the many maddening horrors
that mark the daily news,
It can’t be true.
Weren’t we just kids?
You, pirouetting
beneath a falling baton,
Me, drawing glances
with a waving flag.
In the crowded hallways
you caught my eye.
Like a favorite sweater,
you slipped over my soul.
Chic
Reliable
Comfort.
Were we rebels?
I thought we were.
Questioning the status quo while
following almost all of the rules.
That smile of yours,
that tsk,
those fluttering eyelids.
Lethal weapons of your cashmere charm.
You could do anything
and seemingly without compromise.
One to set her own path
and
convention be damned.
I’ll miss you,
will never forget our adolescent grievances,
Melting into knowing smirks,
rolling eyeballs,
relinquishing laughter.
The world is a sobering place,
But you weren’t one to turn your back on it.
Reminding
Challenging
Helping
Healing.
A creator at heart,
You knew how to find beauty.
In art
In nature
In humans
In home.
Dang!
Did you know how much I admired you?
Smart
Cool
Sporty
Kind.
Wish we’d done more together.
Time wasn’t supposed to end.
My favorite sweaters are full of holes.
Worn through by years of
Love and
Action.
I’ll not part with them.
And I will forever hold your memory in the topmost drawer
Of my tear-stained heart.
May you rest in glorious
Baton-twirling,
Pool-shooting,
Wise-cracking,
Hip-swaying,
Fist-raising,
Kiss-blowing,
Roof-raising peace.
Theresa Ann Heurtebise, May 23, 1960 to October 31, 2023.
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Oh, Carol, so very sorry to hear of the loss of your childhood friend—far too young. You have lovingly and poignantly given us so much of your relationship, which captured a similar time and scenario in my own life.
So sorry you lost you beautiful friend Carol. What a lovely, loving tribute. Losses mount but the spirit remains intact, in place, and forever resident in our hearts. – David
Very true.
What a lovely and moving tribute. The price of a long life is sad good byes, but we do get to keep all those glorious memories. My condolences.
That’s a wonderful sentiment Mary, thanks for sharing it.
Oh. Je suis vraiment, vraiment désolé, navré. Des mots et des photos charmantes pour une amie clairement charmante…
1960-2023, c’est bien jeune pour partir.
Ever so sorry my dear Carol
Merci Brieuc.
A profound and heartfelt tribute. The death of a close one cuts so deep. I am sorry to learn you’ve suffered this loss.
Thanks Infidel.
What a beautiful tribute to honor your friend. In it I feel the grief, but it’s the beauty of your friendship that shines through.
So very sorry, condolences to you.
I’m glad the “beauty of our friendship” is what stands out. That’s the overriding sentiment that remains. Thanks for your comment.
Rereading this in your blog–read it at the time on FB. Wiping away tears. No doubt she knew something of your admiration for her.
–MB
Sometimes poems emerge from nowhere. This one did.
Can you tell me what happened? She worked so hard on that house…I feel awful that she didn’t get to enjoy it more..:(
Hello there. I only know that Theresa died of heart failure and yes it’s too bad that she’ll miss out on many things and that we’ll all miss her.
However, she was a wise woman and I suspect her attitude regarding the house falls under the category of “the journey is more important than the destination.” She was a one-of-a-kind force to be reckoned with.