Nine or so years ago the DeStefanos and I moved into our houses,  

across the street from each other, at the same time.  It took her  

awhile to get my name right, something we always laughed about, but  

we soon became friends.  She was a bit older than I, and we had very  

different life experiences, but shared interests in many of the same  

things... one of which was gardening.  I do design work at home,  

while she was at home most every day, so a visit with her was a great  

relief at times during the workday when I just couldn't sit at the  

computer any longer.  She was often outside pruning or moving plants  

around...as well as her many objects d'art... which moved so often I  

was convinced she did it in the dark of night as well as during the day.

 

My house and yard were total rehabs from years of neglect, which hers  

was pristine new construction with a beautifully designed garden.  

She and her husband had moved many times and she had years of  

experience to share with me as I hacked away at what I had taken on.

 

She became ill with cancer three years ago and fought it brilliantly  

until the end.  One of her words to describe how she felt about  

others was that she would 'marvel' at how they did thus and such.  

I'd never really heard that word used before.  I now 'marvel' at her  

life up to the very end, and how much happiness she brought to me and  

my family.

 

 

 

Joan