Anne's Tribute

When I think of my dear friend Linda, I can't help but remember the wonderful evenings I spent with her when I visited for Thanksgiving or Christmas both in Washington and Idaho.

Linda and I could revert back to being silly children when we were alone. We felt light as air and could forget all our cares during those evenings.

Many nights we sat up well after everyone was asleep and over a glass of wine, we laughed and giggled and got very silly, poured our hearts out to each other and solved the world's problems (in our minds anyway) ... ALL IN THE SAME EVENING.

Linda opened her heart and her home to me from day one and we quickly became very close. I will always remember and love the way she was always there for Nick and Sarah whenever they needed advice or encouragement ... and I remember that throughout the years, she has always let me know how Nick was doing because she understood that I worried from afar. I will always remember that she cared enough to think about that.

Linda was there for everyone in the family whenever they needed her ... she was a very caring, giving person, with a very sensitive heart.

I am proud that Linda considered me one of her good friends. I remember how she has told me many times how she felt blessed that Nick and Sarah brought so many people into her life and I feel the same. It's as if all the roads travelled by Nick was meant to lead to Sarah's door and Linda and I marvelled at the idea that I was born thousands of miles away from her in Ireland and somehow our paths in life lead us to each other. Reminds me of an old Irish saying: What's For You, Won't Go By You.

I will always remember my wise friend Linda with her head thrown back, laughing giddily at some silly thing we said to each other.

I will also remember the wonderful Christmas and Thanksgiving dinners she made and the care she took ... oh, and those wonderful pies that she and Dale made.

I will also remember the joy she took in her family, and especially how she took care of her Grandchildren and how she adored them.

I will remember her heart of gold and outstretched arms in welcome when I arrived to visit and how she called me Annie.

I will also remember her wise words forever.

I remember that Linda knitted me a very nice Afghan type Shawl, which I now treasure and which I use almost every night when I sit out in the garden when it is a bit chilly. When I wrap that Shawl around my shoulders, I can feel the love and the care that went into every click of the knitting needles, and I will treasure it forever. Makes me think of and feel close to my friend, Linda.

I could go on and on, but I don't want to fill up the whole space, I'll just end by saying that my memories of Linda are of a beautiful, warm, sensitive human being and I feel honoured to have been her friend.