FAREWELL BETTE

Family, friends, extended "family" here, many from the Davidson Lawyers Team that Betty worked with for 28 years, as well as others who had helped her with many volunteer projects in the community, assembled here at the Fireside Lounge for a Celebration of Life for this most worthy soul. Fond memories of the warmth of her presence guiding other volunteers in the community and here as well as our Strata Council President, diffused itself throughout the gathering. Our large patio provided the extra space required to move with cautious ease as choices of foods from a long table offered every variety of cuisine with coffee, punch and teas. And no dishes were broken.

Sunny skies cheered the day as we listened to the remembrances from many who had been a part of her sixty seven years of fruitful living. The gratitude expressed sometimes mingled with unwilling tears that silently found a way to blend with the nearest handy tissue. I feel that Bette herself (her real spirit and soul) seemed to be with us. Just how cyber space carries this along has not been scientifically proven but it resonates through the feelings in hearts. One person opined, "I could phone Bette about any problem and always felt comforted and encouraged, now who can I go to." Many others felt that way.
One hundred and twelve signed the condolence book and several dozen we chatted with did not get to the guest book. The following quote is from an ancient unknown author:
"I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength, and I stand and watch her until at length she is only a speck of white cloud, just where the sea and sky meet and mingle with each other. Someone at my side exclaims, 'There, she is gone!'
"Gone where?" Gone from my sight, that is all. She is the same size in hull and mast and spar as she was when she left my side, and just as able to bear her load of living freight to the place of her destination. Her diminished size is in my mind, not in her. And just at that moment when someone at my side says, 'She is gone,' there are other eyes watching for her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, 'There, she comes!' "And That Is Dying."
Many thanks to this Unknown Author for this lovely analogy. SD
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