Friendship and Loss

We lost a very special friend on the VA eastern shore this weekend. Many have undoubtedly felt similar losses. Good friends are like family members, except they're the ones you got to choose. That's how we felt about Marty and her husband, Robert.

Marty, passed away Sunday night within a week of being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. She called to give us the diagnosis, concerned how we would take the new that she had been given 6 weeks (or less) to live — a short time that was sadly far shorter.

After that call, we considered returning to VA, a 12-hour drive from NH. But, we had a family wedding in NYC this past weekend for which all arrangements had been made. When we told Marty that we considered cancelling those plans to visit, she insisted that we go, have a good great time and tell her all about it. Family was everything to her and always came first. She raised 7 children on her own after the death of her first husband.

Marty started painting 10 years ago after moving to the VA eastern shore from NC and soon became an accomplished artist. She exhibited in local shows and that's how we all met. (Grenville and I were also exhibitors.) Robert was always there to help out too.
Here's some of her art: Autumn Light and Inlet at Assateague.

This Burton Shores watercolor hangs in our apt. It was treasured when received, and even more special now. 

We socialized with Marty and Robert often and she didn't dwell on the fact that she was dealing with increasing health issues in recent years. Marty wanted to know what everyone else was doing. She was caring, cheerful and always positive. While our get-togethers were less often after our move, we kept in contact between trips back to VA.

If anyone could have beaten the odds, we felt it would be Marty. During our last phone chat, she told us she didn't fear death, but leaving friends and family. 

Friendship is a priceless gift. Loyal friends listen to your sad tales or share your good news. They care because they want to, not because they have to. We cherish close friends as we do our family. When they're gone, we mourn the loss of that special bond.

Our friend is gone, but not her memories; they are ALL great — Smile. She always did.