Memories and Thanks Blog Hop

Did I know Marianna Adams? Not personally, but I know something about her. How did we meet? Through the warm and wonderful community of jewelry designers and crafters and their blogs, is how. There was another talented designer, Judy Glende, who lost her battle with cancer back in the spring of last year, whom Tania Spivey wanted to honor with a jewelry fundraising blog hop. I felt compelled to enter it, and the subsequent auction brought me to meeting Marianna. She bid on, and won, a pendant necklace I did with a component that Judy had in her Etsy shop. Hence, my Facebook conversations with Marianna started.

We talked about the problems with her health, which she never complained about, just dealt with in her own way. We talked about her work, a Hospice Nurse, of which I could completely relate, as I had been one as well, before retirement. Best of all I came to realize what a selfless and caring lady Marianna was, helping her friends, even when it took time away from her own family.

Meanwhile, Lori Anderson of Pretty Things, had helped Marianna to get her blog page set up so she could join in the hop fun we all have.  Unfortunately it was not meant to be, and this tribute is the result, a vision of Lori's to her, and all others we have lost too soon, paying homage.

 

 

She so wanted the pendant I created, but several attempts to get the sale completed did not come to pass. I put it aside, as I never did get her address, and assumed when life settled down for her, we would finally work it out. Then came the news.

Every time I looked at that pendant, thoughts of Marianna came filling my head again, of the strength she showed in her life, of the level of caring she had for all in her life, of the immense sense of loss her family must have. I knew what I had to do with it.

It isn’t red and there are no cardinals on it. It is a butterfly garden, full of wings. The ones she now owns, I am sure are more resplendent than I could ever make. So the pendant is in the hands of her loving daughters, a gift, I hope they realize how much it meant to their mom, but an even greater gift to me, of having “met” their dear mother, Marianna Adams.

Most of us have felt that profound sense of loss, or will someday, but my hope for all is that you will have that one special way to keep them in your memory, and close to your heart.

Please use this link to Pretty Things for the list of other participants in this blog hop.