Memorial for My Dear Friend by Karen Wiesner

 

August 28, 1982-April 6, 2025 

When I met you, I could tell you'd weathered a lot in your life. I could see the shadows lurking behind you, just barely held back from escaping again. You loved the darkest time of night, I think, because it's easy to hide from even the deepest, most menacing shadows in those quiet, isolated hours where you could be all alone in the universe. Despite everything you faced, all your regrets, you had a light that I saw in you from the first time I met you--you, the stray cat who wandered into the backyard and I never wanted to leave. How many hours we spent talking and laughing. It was so easy to be around you. You always said I mothered you, something you desperately needed, and you did the same to all those around you. I didn't ask you about the shadows that haunted you because you were so determined to start over, build a brand new life, and become the person I think you always wanted to be…the person that all the horrors in your life seemed determined not to allow you to become. You loved Monarchs, hummingbirds, cats, flowers and plants, music, dancing, football, motorcycles, storms, Halloween. You wanted to surround yourself with friends who could accept you for who you were in the present. You were trying so hard to accept yourself and plant deep roots that would never choke you. I know you wanted to be redeemed from all the heavy regrets you carried. That's why you gave everyone you met a chance, no matter what. I got to be in the garden of your new life for a few years, and I'm so grateful for all I've learned from you. I was so proud of the person you were becoming, however shaky that journey was as you moved forward, trying not to let the darkness behind you hold you back or overtake you. I believe you were so close to healing and emerging from the cocoon that kept you safe since you arrived here, broken, and I'm glad I got to love you as you put yourself back together. Be forgiven, beautiful butterfly, be healed. You're free now, and the light you wanted to bask in is waiting to embrace you. I'll miss you and I'll never forget you. I'll always see you in every sunflower along my path.

Karen Wiesner is an award-winning, multi-genre author of over 150 titles and 16 series.

Visit her here: https://karenwiesner.weebly.com/

https://karenwiesner.weebly.com/karens-quill-blog

http://www.facebook.com/KarenWiesnerAuthor

Visit her publisher here: https://www.writers-exchange.com/Karen-Wiesner/

Stop and Smell the Roses by Karen Wiesner

Stop and Smell the Roses

by Karen Wiesner

A memorial for a dear friend who passed away recently, including some of my colored pencil flower artwork.

A dear friend of mine passed away recently. I'd known her for over 20 years, and our children grew up together. They remain best friends to this day, even as she remained mine up until the end. Throughout the years I knew her, she endured multiple health issues. For the last year or so of her life, she was made aware by her doctors that her time in this world was short. When I look back now, I realize that I don't remember ever hearing her complain. I'm also struck by the fact that she didn't live like a person who was dying. She lived her life. Period. Impending death wasn't an obstacle to joy for her. She got through the bad periods, and she enjoyed the good ones. She took everything as it came. Even in her final days, she focused on what was important to her, the things that truly mattered: her husband, children, grandchildren, friends, and making the most of every moment, finding pleasure in those simple things, and never failing to let those around her know how grateful she was for their presence.

I understand the meaning of the phrase "Stop and smell the roses" (something my dear friend loved) because of her example. When an oncoming collision is headed straight for you, it's easier to close your eyes and shut down, shut off, hide inside yourself. It's impossible to enjoy life when you're concentrating on the advancing doom. So she did the best thing she could have done in the face of the inevitable: Although it was always there and she never forgot it, she found a way to turn away from it and focused instead on the roses blooming in the garden of her life. This is a lesson I hope I never forget, no matter how close I come to life's unavoidable finish line. My desire is to emulate such a beautiful standard. In honor of someone I'll miss, VJW, 8/13/23, here are some of my own floral creations.

@Rose colored pencil by Karen Wiesner

@Hibiscus colored pencil by Karen Wiesner

@Scarlet hibiscus colored pencil by Karen Wiesner

Karen Wiesner is an award-winning, multi-genre author of over 150 titles and 16 series.

Visit her website here: https://karenwiesner.weebly.com/

and https://karenwiesner.weebly.com/karens-quill-blog

Find out more about her books and see her art here: http://www.facebook.com/KarenWiesnerAuthor

Visit her publisher here: https://www.writers-exchange.com/Karen-Wiesner/