Thursday 5 March 2015

Hope Lives In Pink Houses

Yesterday I got a call.
The daughter of a long time client-turned-friend phoned to let me know Bernie had passed away. I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to receive that call, I had only ever met the daughter once. Clearly Bernie's family understood how special our simple relationship was to both of us. Hairdressing is an up and close kinda job...you get to know your clients, they become a part of your fabric.

Bernie gave me this African Violet and made me promise not to kill it.
It is about to bloom.
The Cancer Sucks quilt was inspired by Bernie.

Bernie was a colourful, warm, loving, funny and courageous woman. Over many, many years she shared with me the stories of her life, her family, her battle with cancer and humourously recounted her lop-sided life with one boob. She was a character, that lady; full of life, laughter & profanity and I loved her.

Yesterday I had to start making samples for the improv workshop for my Guild. Procrastination gets you no where and suddenly Saturday isn't quite so far away. I feel rather anxious about teaching and prefer to look at my role as sharing. With Bernie heavy on my mind and taking up the whole of my heart the samples came together like this:


They're not my best work. They're not finished.
But they're gonna have to do.
I am outta time; the zebra stole my time.

Bernie would have loved that pink house...and those who didn't she'd likely have told to f*ck right off.

5 comments:

  1. Sorry to hear about your friend. Your samples look great. But....you expect me to make those?? yikes........You need to put your teacher hat on for Saturday...don't think sharing is going to be enough. LOL

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  2. Thank you. I needed a smile today life seems to have gone off the tracks.

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  3. So sorry about your friend Valley. It sounds to that she lead a full life and knew how to laugh at it as well. I am sure she will be there to guide you on Saturday. We will have lots of laughs ashes we learn together

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  4. Sharing is the PERFECT way to approach things . . . working together, learning together, surviving together. Sending hugs!!

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  5. Sorry to hear about your friend, Val. Cancer really does suck. I wish it would well and truly, as you said, f*ck off and leave our loved ones alone. As for Saturday's improv workshop, you have a talent and a passion to share. That's all you really need to be a teacher! :)

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