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My friend is dying.

None of us knows when our life will end.  Most of us won't have a choice about how that end will come.  But my good friend is dying and I am already mourning her.  All I really can do now is reflect on how her life helped me grow as a person and as an artist.  I know her family is in pain too, but all I really know is how I feel.

 

When it really struck home that she was dying, I began to think of all of the fun times we've had together and how very much I'll miss those times.   Another of my really close friends passed away a little over a year ago and I still wish I could call and ask a question or share a laugh. I think that loss makes this impending one hurt even more.  It forced me to look at the way these women lived and appreciate how their lives have enriched mine and so many others.

 

These are just a few of the things I will miss:

• Traveling to well-loved spots to paint and sharing our thoughts about how lucky we are to be able to be in a beautiful place and pour our creative hearts onto a canvas
• Laughing - at one another - at a joke - at our paintings - at a shared experience
• Sharing tears and setbacks and also enjoying one another's successes
• Hearing stories about families and how those families change and develop over time - how they helped to shape us
• Admiring the gift of conversation.  My friend LOVED to talk with people and find out all about those around her.  Her interest in others drew them to her as well and created many bonds.  She was almost always among the last to leave a party
• I'll miss her great "eye".  Often after a fun meal (and a beer) at "The Blue Dog" we'd drag our paintings out of the trunk and critique one another's work.  I never felt intimidated.  She always had great suggestions to help me create a stronger piece.  I hope I did the same for her
• Sharing boat stories.....   We had some great painting adventures with our mentor, David Gallup.  Among the most memorable were four of our annual trips to paint the Channel Islands while bunking on an 80 foot dive boat
• Being able the share that "joie de vivre" that WAS my friend
• Talking about art, artists and painting
• Feeling her caring presence

Both of these friends were dedicated, creative and talented.  They each had a special ability to bring people together.  They were generous, kind and thoughtful.  And each of them had imperfections which made them oh-so-very human and approachable.  They loved life.

 

The thing I most admire about each of them is that they lived life fully and on their own terms.  They weren't ready to die, but when their time came, they had the grace that comes from knowing that they lived their life well.

 

I found a quote which reads, "Through love, through friendship, a heart lives more than one life."    -- I think that can be said of each of my friends.  They will always be part of me.

 

***

The painting above "Sunset At Sequit Point" was inspired by a raucous yet soothing trip to one of our favorites spots to paint together.

- Leo Carrillo State Beach.
We went late in the day - unusual for me - Diane was always a late-in-the-day painter, but my family obligations usually kept me closer to home.  On this day we celebrated our togetherness - our independence - our surroundings - and the setting of the sun.
We wrapped up after the sun had set and went to enjoy fish tacos (and a beer) and the night people who inhabit Neptune's Net on the PCH.

 

Perhaps this sunset is just as beautiful as a sunrise.  
Many beautiful sunrises to come, my friend.
God Speed.