Our Flower.....Mother Nature's Child
"Who am I; I am the flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow!" Our friend, every one's friend, Frieda, knew who she was. She laughed as she ordered Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, "It's so delicious, like I need this! she laughed, "What this short and squat body needs is a diet, but that's a project for tomorrow," she quickly added with that beautiful twinkle in her vibrant dancing eyes.
Listening to Frieda, one quickly realized, this powerful personality with the gift of gab, could lift that proverbial "dark cloud" in an instant. An accomplished artist, her works brightened not only the landscapes of eastern Connecticut but the lives of everyone she touched. Frieda's life, reaching beyond the limits of the community in which she lived and worked, a legacy she will continue to orchestrate from her heavenly body. As I look out into my preserve, the emerald green leaves of the Sweet Gum tree, the towering Dawn Cypress stately standing guard over Mother Nature's children, I shall remember Frieda...........I thank her for sharing with me the names of these beautiful trees in my "new" backyard.
After Mr. Bill's retirement and our move to Florida, it was Frieda and Del that visited first. Gone from Fred's News just over a month, the holiday season upon us, our world brightened by two angels...Frieda and Del. Her eyes glistening with tears at the sight of her friends, "don't cry Frieda, it's really us, we miss you!" Our conversation continuing as though the six week interval had never happened. Frieda and I often made a game of calling each other to wish a "Happy Anything" day. There were Happy Birthday, Happy Easter, Happy Halloween, even Happy first day of any season phone calls. What we enjoyed most...... our" Happy to talk with you" calls. The game plan was to see who could get "the one up" on the other. Oddly enough, I called two days before Memorial Day wishing her and Del the best. Knowing she would not be at home, I left the message, excited I would be "one up" on her, wishing I could hear her comment to Del as she listened to the message. Frieda called me just hours before she would be "given notice", the process of returning to her heavenly home had begun, she had served her God well, it was time. This pint sized dynamo's work on earth now complete, she has left a legacy and brightened many lives. Our conversations always ended the same, "Love you!"
Frieda was most happy when tending her "children". She worried the harsh New England winters would hurt her "babies" in the Norwich Rose Garden. As soon as the warmth of the Spring sun awakened them, Frieda began her diligent primping. The Spring "cleaning" of her beloved City of Norwich sent a message to the its citizens, "if Frieda was beginning her Spring thing, then the world is emerging from it's long winter's sleep!"
Today I smile remembering the story, "if you were with Frieda and Del and didn't hear Frieda's voice, she was sleeping!" A quirky yet comforting feeling arises from within....."gone way too soon, she is our flower that quickly faded, here today, gone tomorrow" silenced, her voice now a memory but so vibrant I can still hear her...."I am still with you, think of me often, I am the wind that rustles the leaves of your Sweet Gum tree, I am the rain that nourishes the towering Dawn Cypress, and don't forget my friend, love you!" Frieda touched our lives and the lives of so many.....our conversation, over and yes, my friend never forget, "love you."
"Who am I; I am the flower quickly fading, here today and gone tomorrow!" Our friend, every one's friend, Frieda, knew who she was. She laughed as she ordered Sausage Gravy and Biscuits, "It's so delicious, like I need this! she laughed, "What this short and squat body needs is a diet, but that's a project for tomorrow," she quickly added with that beautiful twinkle in her vibrant dancing eyes.
Listening to Frieda, one quickly realized, this powerful personality with the gift of gab, could lift that proverbial "dark cloud" in an instant. An accomplished artist, her works brightened not only the landscapes of eastern Connecticut but the lives of everyone she touched. Frieda's life, reaching beyond the limits of the community in which she lived and worked, a legacy she will continue to orchestrate from her heavenly body. As I look out into my preserve, the emerald green leaves of the Sweet Gum tree, the towering Dawn Cypress stately standing guard over Mother Nature's children, I shall remember Frieda...........I thank her for sharing with me the names of these beautiful trees in my "new" backyard.
After Mr. Bill's retirement and our move to Florida, it was Frieda and Del that visited first. Gone from Fred's News just over a month, the holiday season upon us, our world brightened by two angels...Frieda and Del. Her eyes glistening with tears at the sight of her friends, "don't cry Frieda, it's really us, we miss you!" Our conversation continuing as though the six week interval had never happened. Frieda and I often made a game of calling each other to wish a "Happy Anything" day. There were Happy Birthday, Happy Easter, Happy Halloween, even Happy first day of any season phone calls. What we enjoyed most...... our" Happy to talk with you" calls. The game plan was to see who could get "the one up" on the other. Oddly enough, I called two days before Memorial Day wishing her and Del the best. Knowing she would not be at home, I left the message, excited I would be "one up" on her, wishing I could hear her comment to Del as she listened to the message. Frieda called me just hours before she would be "given notice", the process of returning to her heavenly home had begun, she had served her God well, it was time. This pint sized dynamo's work on earth now complete, she has left a legacy and brightened many lives. Our conversations always ended the same, "Love you!"
Frieda was most happy when tending her "children". She worried the harsh New England winters would hurt her "babies" in the Norwich Rose Garden. As soon as the warmth of the Spring sun awakened them, Frieda began her diligent primping. The Spring "cleaning" of her beloved City of Norwich sent a message to the its citizens, "if Frieda was beginning her Spring thing, then the world is emerging from it's long winter's sleep!"
Today I smile remembering the story, "if you were with Frieda and Del and didn't hear Frieda's voice, she was sleeping!" A quirky yet comforting feeling arises from within....."gone way too soon, she is our flower that quickly faded, here today, gone tomorrow" silenced, her voice now a memory but so vibrant I can still hear her...."I am still with you, think of me often, I am the wind that rustles the leaves of your Sweet Gum tree, I am the rain that nourishes the towering Dawn Cypress, and don't forget my friend, love you!" Frieda touched our lives and the lives of so many.....our conversation, over and yes, my friend never forget, "love you."
Is this Frieda Seifert Mossey? We just returned from the 50th reunion and they mentioned that Frieda was supposed to be there but she was in the hospital not doing well at all. So I put two and two together and thought it must be her you were talking about. She had designed the table decorations. I remember her as always being a happy person.
ReplyDeleteYes it is, so sad but her spirit lives.
ReplyDeleteI never look at an Amaryllis without thinking about the monster size ones on the counter at Freds from Frieda. What a pleasant memory. Amazing Grace
ReplyDeleteA cherished thought....our friends spirit re-visits in many ways!
ReplyDelete