I have never participated in a WordPress Daily Prompt before, but at this time of year, I am adrift on a sea of memories. This prompt spoke to me.
On a warm summer day, against a stunning backdrop of shimmering red rocks, I spotted you sitting alone, listening to the music wafting through space. It seemed my soul already knew you and raced to greet yours before my feet could carry me to your side. Everything around me seemed to slow as our eyes met and introductions were made. Deep within I knew ours was to be a lifelong friendship, even if you had yet to make this discovery. I seldom left your side that day and quickly learned that on the surface we seemed to have little in common, mine a life revolving around finance, yours that of talented musician and artist.
No one could have guessed the depths our friendship would reach, something so strong drawing me back time and again to your beautiful melancholy smile. With each visit, familiarity gained momentum. Vulnerability and timidity gave way to raw honesty as we explored our feelings, new discoveries about each other and ourselves unraveling. A piece of my soul that had been lost once again had found its rightful place.
Yours was a life of great struggle Barb, a battle difficult to witness at times. However, even during some of your darker days, which brought forth tears of anger and frustration, I always felt a calm countenance within you, ready to face whatever life had yet in store for you. Some of my most cherished memories will always be those rather prosaic tasks we shared that so many of us take for granted, exercises you coveted as your body began to turn against you. Greeting you in the morning and gently lifting you into your wheelchair, brushing your beautiful blond hair as you silently cried, seeking acceptance of the terrible affliction that had wracked your body, showering you as you struggled with the humiliation of feeling your dignity slip away, and sitting at your feet reading to you when you could no longer turn the pages on your own are intimate moments that have become encapsulated in my heart.
You left us much too soon Barb, long before any of us were ready. There were stories still to be told and lessons for you to teach us, other lives for you to touch. But you knew it was your time and with that same courage with which you faced your illness, you moved into the next life.
On this eve of your passing, I cannot believe three years have slipped by so swiftly. The pain of your absence can still take my breath away. But something so strong as your passion for life amidst your formidable trials has left me with the awareness that any obstacle can be overcome.
As I reflect upon our time together, a myriad of emotions swirl around, moments of profound joy, deep wells of sadness, contemplative stillness, and always the knowledge that we will meet again. Until that time arrives ~ rest in peace my anam cara.
Paint Your Landscape 
What a profound and moving tribute. Thank you so much for sharing the light of your beautiful friend.
My pleasure Emily. Thank you for your comment. Barb was a rare gem. 🙂
A beautiful post in memory of your dear & beloved friend Barbara.
May she continue to rest in peace.
{Hugs}
Thanks dear RoSy!
What a treasure your friend Barb is to you. I can tell you know how fortunate you are to have had a friend and soul mate like Barb. Your words speak volumes Lu. Thanks for sharing your heart.
My pleasure Marcia. She was a gem, much like you dear friend. Hope all is well with you and Carl. 🙂
Beautiful tribute, thank you for sharing and sorry about your loss.
She was a beautiful gem. I feel truly blessed to have been given six years with her.
How you two must have loved each other. Thanks for sharing this amazing, beautiful, and grand lady.
She was one of a kind. Thanks so much for your comment Marsha.
Such a sweet tribute. She was blessed to have you as a friend.
Thanks Nan. She was one of a kind. 🙂
Oh this is just too good for words… what a tribute, you write so beautifully… almost had me going there for a mo… I loved it… LuAnn you are really a talented writer…
Thank you so much Bulldog! I feel fortunate to have had someone so special come into my life.
Such a moving tribute. I’m so sorry about your loss LuAnn.
Thanks so much for your comment! I feel blessed to have had Barb in my life, if only for a short time.
Wonderfully emotive tribute my friend, I love it.
Coming from such a gifted writer, I am touched.
You have such an incredible talent with words. Such a splendid tribute and a sweet way to revisit a friendship so very dear.
Thanks Gunta. There are those rare people who come into our lives, touching us in a profound way. Barb was a beautiful gem who touched everyone she met.
Such a beautiful remembrance. I am sure she is smiling down on you and remembering what a dear friend you were.
Thanks Janie. 🙂
It’s amazing the difference one person can make on your life, and she would have enjoyed her time more with you in it. You are a great person to know LuAnn, and I know she had a great friend in you.
Thank you for sharing what must have been a difficult post for you to write
I still marvel at how one person, who is seemingly so different on the surface, could move someone is such a profound way. Barb was meant to come into our lives to teach us, and as her illness progressed she did just that.
I feel fortunate to have been able to share a few years of my life with her.
Thank you for your lovely comment Al. I am certain there are those in your life who feel the same about you. 🙂
Thank you LuAnn. I teach people who they do not want to be lol
People like her are very few and far between.
Funny man but I’m not buying it! 🙂
It’s true though, there aren’t too many of her to the pound 😉
That part I will agree with. 🙂
A very moving tribute to your friend, Lu. The way you write of her and of the strong bond between you, tell me that your memories of her will never fade. Friends forever. 🙂
Friends forever indeed Sylvia! 🙂
Beautifully written, LuAnn. How wonderful that you experienced a friendship of this depth. Many never know this bond with someone so special. You certainly did a marvelous job sharing and honoring your friend:)
Thanks so much. I agree that this type of friendship may come along just once in a lifetime, if we are fortunate.
A lump in my throat, LuAnn, is testament to your memories.
You were both so fortunate to enjoy such a deep bond; such as is only seen rarely…
I think we would all be blessed to have even one person this special come into our lives. Thanks for your comment Carolyn.
Just beautiful. Brought tears to my eyes LuAnn. How lucky to have met each other and shared such a beautiful friendship.
Thanks Nicole! I am indeed fortunate. 🙂
How profound. A tribute straight from the heart of a friend long gone. Beautiful!
Thanks so much! Barb was a gem who touched everyone she met. I was so fortunate to have had her in my life.
I tried to comment, when this posted yesterday, but it didn’t go through. I know how much you miss Barb, and was glad you shared this. My thoughts and prayers have been with you all day, and always. .
Thanks Joan.
LuAnn,
Beautifully written…Have been trying to think of what to say today,. It feels like she left a very long time ago and yet it feels like yesterday. She inspired so many people and I feel incredibly fortunate to have spent the time that I did have with her. I believe she came to a point in her life that she truly understood the essence of life and what it is all about…Up to the very end she lived with purpose, passion and loved what she was doing. To say I miss her is obviously an understatement but her spirit lives on and inspires me each and every day….My heart is full of love for Barb on this day. Thanks so much Lu for writing such a Great Tribute!!!
Pete,
It is so good to hear from you. It is still difficult to believe Barb is gone. She left such a lasting impression on everyone she met and life is not quite so colorful without her in it. Barb touched everyone in such a profound way. I am certain I will never meet anyone like her again. She taught us all so much about what is important and to live each day to its fullest. My heart is particularly heavy today. Much love is being sent your way. Take care my friend. Love, Lu
LuAnn you have such a wonderful way of wording things. You make me feel a little like I know your friend from this tribute. Thanks for sharing your heart!
Thanks so much for your comment Jan. Barb was a gem who I felt so honored to have in my life. 🙂
I was moved to tears by your tribute to Barbara, friend of the soul. I had a similar experience with a good friend who possessed a similar strong spirit. She not only taught me about how to live; she taught me how to die with the same integrity she demonstrated in life.
Thanks for your comment Pam. If we are able to find one person in our lives whom we connect to in this way, I believe we are very fortunate.
What a beautiful and loving tribute, LuAnn. I needed several days to just sit with your post before I could respond. One of our dearest and closest friends died suddenly at age 29 of an aneurysm last September, just a couple of months after we embarked on our full-time journey. It was difficult for us to continue on, but Kevin was one of our greatest supporters in this new life adventure, and we knew that he wanted us to continue. We carry him with us in our hearts everywhere we go. What a great blessing it is to recognize soul connections, as you did with Barb, and to fully open our hearts to the joy and pain of life.
Sorry, my comment came from the wrong address. ;-(
I thought it was you. 🙂
Thank you for sharing your story Laurel. I believe that if we can find even one person throughout our lifetime who touches us in this way, we are blessed. I have so many beautiful memories to carry with me.
LuAnn, What a lovely tribute to Barb, so beautifully written. I read about your friendship and Barb’s passing when I was reading all your Mexico posts, and I could tell what a toll it took on you. But I also sensed that it was an everlasting friendship that surpasses time and the physical realm. I think Barb is smiling. 🙂 ~Terri
She was a once in a lifetime friendship and I feel certain she smiles down on so many people she touched, quite often. Thank you for your comment Terri.
Your words say all, LuAnn. A beautifully poignant piece to remind all of us of life’s yin yang, of a ‘so special’ friendship found, nourished and taken away too soon. Of the pain and endurance we humans are capable of, but mostly that many of our memories of life experiences provide us with reminders of the beauty of friendship and the value of each life we encounter and it’s ability to affect us, for good or bad. This is a wonderful piece and I thank you for putting your thoughts and feelings to words to share with others, LuAnn! I wish I had known Barb. She was an amazing person! xx
Barb touched everyone she met in a profound way. I remember a particularly touching time when I took her to a doctor’s appointment. I got her settled, went to the registration desk to announce her arrival, turned back around to her and she was already engaged in a conversation with a little boy just barely able to see above the arm of her wheelchair. No one could resist her charms. Now that I think about it Penny, you remind me of Barb, very talented and with that special gift that allows you to reach out and touch everyone you meet. 🙂
You are too kind my dearest sister and friend and I cherish our friendship LuAnn, more than you know! 🙂 xo
I am being very sincere in my comment my dear friend. 🙂
🙂 xxxxxxxxxx
What a lovely, heartfelt tribute.
Thanks!
Sending positive thoughts your way as you walk this journey. Thanks for the mention.
You wrote that there were “…other lives for you to touch…” She may be gone in body, but through your profound writing, she has touched my life. Brilliant!
Thank you so much! I wish you could have known her but perhaps you have someone like Barb in your life. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
Good word! Her soul lingers and at peace with what you’ve written here, Lu. You are such a darling. Really felt the deep connection. Even just the fact that you are wrote this for her is enough.Great piece, great tribute. I bow to thee.
You are most kind Rommel. She had such a profound presence and I miss her everyday. Hope you are adjusting to being back in CA.
So beautiful and moving Luann. Your feelings for your remarkable friend shine through in this poignant tribute. I am sorry for your loss.
She was such a blessing in my life. It would be beautiful if everyone could have someone so special in their lives.
Such a wonderful tribute to your friend. I am so sorry to read of your loss. Let us enjoy each and every day as a gift.
Absolutely! Thanks Sue. 🙂