Monday, December 14

Sad news.............

Early this morning I received a call with sad news. My friend, Cindy Mark, passed away last evening. She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer only a couple of months ago and too soon, it took her life.
Many thoughts have been running through my head all day. There were things that needed doing but I had to push myself to get them done. It was later this evening when I sat down to read the post for today, Dec. 14, in my Daily Guideposts (2007 edition - a "hand-me-down" from my friend, Arline). I was surprised when it started....... "The death of a friend turned my world to gray"......... and that kind of summed up the way I felt. Except that the passage for the day, went on to say that as the rest of the day unfolded there were little kindnesses and conversations with other old friends which at the end of the day made the writer smile. And the same thing happened to me.......another friend called and we chatted and remembered Cindy, a blogging friend sent me an Angel card with a message that brought tears to my eyes, and my mother called to say she had won a quilt at a benefit for my brother's friend who is also suffering from cancer. I delivered a box of toys for kids in need at Christmas and I made plans to gather even more next year. Christmas cards from special friends came in the mail. I was asked to be a speaker at the Spring Extension Banquet and I replied that "yes, I would love to share my story and quilts." And so, life goes on. But I'll miss my friend. Even though we didn't see each other as often once I moved, we were still friends and knew that we would be friends forever. Cindy had a great laugh and she was a consumate believer in the belief that a woman could do anything she put her mind to! She often shared quotes at the end of her e-mails and one of my favorites was this one from Eleanor Roosevelt...........


Remember always that you not only have the right to be an individual, you have an obligation to be one.


It's one that I memorized.......that is until I had to type it so I had to google it to get it right. When I read the rest of the quotes from Eleanor Roosevelt, I found one that I feel summed up Cindy's attitude .........


You have to accept whatever comes and the only important thing is that you meet it with courage and with the best that you have to give.

I found two other quotes that are worthy of sharing.........both are from Eleanor Roosevelt......


In all our contacts it is probably the sense of being really needed and wanted which gives us the greatest satisfaction and creates the most lasting bond.

Since you get more joy out of giving joy to others, you should put a good deal of thought into the happiness that you are able to give.


I recently had an exchange of e-mails with another friend whose name is also Cindy. We were discussing "joy" and how even in difficult times there can still be joy amidst sadness. I find joy in knowing that I crossed paths with Cindy and that she became my friend. I am a stronger, more creative person because of her encouragement. I came to know other people in the arts field that I would never have met, if not for her. I was blessed by her friendship and so were many others. My heart goes out tonight to her husband, Steve, and daughter, Kaite.

I am going to take a day to regroup and will post again on Wednesday.
Hug your loved ones and your friends........call them........write them.......let them know you care......

Sandi

16 comments:

Unknown said...

Dear Sandi
... this is sad news!!
time change things and everything,,,
my prayers and thoughts are for Cindy's family and you as a friend...

annemarie said...

I am thinking of you Sandi - prayers for you and your friend's family.

Pat said...

OH, Sandi...I am so sorry to hear this news. You had spoken of Cindy to us before and I knew she was seriously ill. While there is no "easy" time to lose someone, this time of year would seem especially hard for her family and friends as they will now forever associate this season with her death. Please know I am thinking of all of you who have been affected by this and who will miss Cindy so tremendously. Take whatever time you need to regroup....we will all understand and be waiting right here for you when you come back to your blog.

Crispy said...

I'm so sorry to hear of the passing of your friend. You are all in my prayers.

Crispy

Kaye said...

A beautiful tribute to Cindy. I used to live in Hyde Park NY the home of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. My house was on Rte 9-G about 1 mile N of Val-Kill which was the retreat for Eleanor. It is a very popular tourist attraction and is especially beautiful at this time of the year. It is decorated just as She had it and her menus were reproduced. Every year, in her memory, a committee gives out 4 medals to 4 people who most follow her ideal. It has been a president, a movie star, an average person, it can be anyone. She has had quite an interesting History

Jocelyn said...

Oh Sandi, I am so sad to hear of the passing of your friend. I too lost my BFF 5 years ago, and I still miss her so much. She was my "heart" friend. You and her family are in my thoughts and prayers today.

Shar said...

Dear Sandi,
I'm sorry to hear about your dear friend passing. My heart goes out to you and Cindy's family.

Needled Mom said...

I am so sorry to read about your friend's death. Yes, ones world does turn gray with such news. She sounds like she was an incredible woman.

Latane Barton said...

I am so sorry. It is difficult to see a life taken way too soon. May God keep you in his arms during this sad time.

West Michigan Quilter said...

I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. My prayers and thoughts are with you and your friend's family.

Patty said...

I'm sorry to hear about your loss. I think this kind of loss at Christmas is so hard. We are celebrating the birth of Jesus and it's always hard to understand why the people we love die. I'm sure Cindy made the world a better place and will always be remembered with love. My prayers are with you and her family.

Anonymous said...

I was so sad to hear about the loss of your dear friend. I know your memories of Cindy will bring you much joy in the years to come. With love and prayer, Barb

Micki said...

I am so sorry Sandi that your friend died. It must have been a terrible loss, and my prayer go with you all!
Micki

Kim said...

I am so sorry for your loss of your best friend. I just lost mine 3 weeks ago and I know exactly what you are going through. I will say a prayer for you. I know God blessed you wth Cindy in your life. She will always be a part of you.

Nanette Merrill said...

Oh Sandi isn't it hard to lose friends. Even though we know death is part of life, and that we will reunite with friends someday, it tugs at our heart and we have to deal with the sadness. I find Christmas often a bittersweet time. We have to live like we cherish the moments. Hard to do when we are busy.

fabricartist21 said...

Yes Life does go on!! sorry about your friend. Calling all bloggers I am having a huge giveaway on my blog and will add a new itme everyday until 12/24. Check it out.

"Peace can be found in the piecing of a quilt."
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