This week, as I am coming to the realization that my little book about Bermuda is finally "at press," I have had the urge to call Linda and tell her. The last time we spoke on the phone, we had a wonderful, lengthy conversation. It felt as though we were in the same room- the warmth transcended the miles between coastal Canada and coastal New York. As I thought about Linda intently this past week (perhaps an intuitive sign), I adhered to my decision to wait, and surprise her with the book, when it popped up on Amazon. I envisioned Linda reading it on her I-pad (in her home of Prince Edward Island) with a cup of tea, the Autumn leaves falling outside. She would undoubtedly reminisce about her countless memories of Bermuda, including those we shared together- through my words and photography. Over the years, it was clear that she spent some of the best days of her life in Bermuda with family and friends. When we spoke last, she told me she just "wished that she could
It's hard to believe that I have arrived at my 5th year anniversary of Smitten with Bermuda. When I ventured off to Bermuda in 2018, soon after losing my mother, I had no idea what that one solo trip would mean for my grief, for my life, for my soul- not to mention the ensuing five years. I had cared for my ailing mother for the prior three and a half years. Just as she had cared for me- as a baby born with heart disease, I would care for her (along with my sister, Nina), when her beautiful heart began to fail her. It was an emotionally excruciating time for me, yet one that I would not trade for anything in the world. Caregiving is the most beautiful and selfless gesture that you can extend to someone else in this lifetime. I believe that a Frangipani is a Bermudian Daisy Needless to say, I felt unbearable sorrow after Marlys left this Earth. She was my best friend, my confidante- a brave and remarkable lady. I did not believe- in April of 2018- that any trip could assuage my p