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Hi,
I know you all are discussing memories this evening, and I am flooded with
them too. I just wanted to share a few thoughts. The first thing that comes
to my mind when I think of Barb is the innate capacity she had for making a
person feel comfortable immediately with her, whether the person was an old
friend or a brand new introduction. Her warmth, sincerity, and humor just
flooded into the interaction, filling it with joy.
Whenever I knew that Barb would be at an event, I knew that it would be fun.
It was impossible not to have fun with her! Do you all see her laughing and
smiling as you think of her? I truly cannot visualize her any other way.
We all know how considerate and caring she was. I'm sure we could each give
many examples of this, but two come to me most vividly. A few years ago,
Barb organized a lovely afternoon tea for my birthday at the Tohono Chul Tea
Room. She told me she wanted to do this because she knew that my birthday
blended in with the Christmas season and she felt that it should receive its
own special celebration. That meant so much to me, and it was indeed a very
enjoyable occasion! I know a lot of you remember it.
Another very special thing that Barb did for me was to take me to lunch
shortly after my father passed away. Very few of us had lost a parent at
that point, and she wanted me to have someone to share my feelings with,
someone who had experienced what I was going through. She took me to
Kingfisher and we had a wonderful lunch, and of course a very good talk.
Barb just knew what to say and how to listen to my words.
I also feel some very small comfort when I think about the exponential
effect her life had upon others. Of course, she helped countless people in
her capacity as a nurse, but as an instructor, she trained other nurses, and
each patient cared for by each nurse who learned from Barb will have the
benefit of Barb's dedication to her profession.
Well, Keoni just set out with his little trick-or-treat bucket, dressed in
a poufy red skirt and red sweater vest, accessorized by a sparkly magic
wand. Bruce donned his new mumu and hat (with necklace and peace-sign
earrings) to keep Keoni company. Wouldn't Barb laugh to see the two of them
together! She is in our thoughts and in our hearts, now and always.
-Carolyn
October 31, 2002
