DEAR FRIEND,
dedicated to Margaret Joan Kanaski, by Rose Lefebvre
Countless memories
envelop me in a mist,
one at a
time dancing into view
to reveal
themselves like vivid films.
I hear your humorous
impersonations
of Lily
Tomlin’s character Edith Ann,
or me
answering the telephone to hear
that Tomlin
phone operator, Ernestine, asking,
“Is this the
party to whom I am speaking?”
Those calls
always started with a smile.
You
performed to lighten moods, chase away
gloomy
moments, to initiate laughter,
and we all were
drawn to you, loved you for it.
Arms always
willingly offering hugs
of comfort,
warmth, compassion,
such a natural greeting from you.
You seemed
so bold and unafraid to execute antics,
and with you
at my side empowering me
I could
become, perform, experience
what I never
would have dared.
You opened
my world, helped me move
beyond
limits I had on myself.
Who else
could coax me to perform Big Spender
from Sweet
Charity, in front of soldiers wounded
in Vietnam laying
in the hospital at Camp Pendleton.
I still
hardly believe it.Your quirky laughter infected everyone,
and soon we
all would be sharing that special
free feeling
it brought to each enjoying it.
I named you
little sister, and cherished our love,
prize the precious
memories stored in my heart.
Joanie, your
matchless personality, loyalty and
love through
all the many years is golden,
more treasured
and valued, and will always
dwell within
me.
Such a lovely tribute to your friend! It gives people who never met her a feel for who she was. I hope you can share it with her family. Pat
ReplyDeleteThis is wonderful, Rose. A very special friend. I'm so very sorry that you lost her. Take care, my dear. A big hug xo Karen
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute for your deer friend! I can almost hear her talking like Lily Tomlin's Edith Ann.
ReplyDeletehugs,
Jann
Just one of your palette of beautiful, loving, creative friends with whom you surround yourself. It seems she had a lot to do with that. Lynnette
ReplyDelete