Rachel, my dear friend, like a sister - but infinitely more than 'sister' has 'left' me - gone, departed, never to be seen, spoken to, sit with, laugh with, talk with again.
Liz-Anne, Rachel, me & Stuart on my 37th Birthday
My first 'Adult' party - my only one too!
I wasn't a good 'socialiser'.
This was nerve-wracking for me
Her impact on my life spanned from age 18 - age 65. That's many years. SHE saw me though my years of young adult chaos. quietly supporting, quietly encouraging, quietly 'doing' the things needing doing. No fuss, no bother, no anxiety - just instinctively 'there' for me.
My first adult years were, frankly, horrendous. Not to be remembered except for those wonderful people I met & my tenacity to overcome. Yes, I recognise & remember that.
SHE visited me in the hospitals I landed up in. Bringing support, clean clothes, news, friendship
SHE had me stay in her house, fed me, cooked bread, cakes, chatted & walked in Vicky Park, Hackney, London with me.
SHE introduced me to what Christianity really meant. A 'protestant' teaches a Catholic.
Rachel & Sue: Lake Windermere.
I was steering
We had such fun
SHE supported my CSSA & MACSAS work, took an interest, cut out articles from the Church Times that she thought I'd 'miss', as I don't get the Church TimesSHE came to my final 'graduation' , sitting with my twin, who flew in from Ireland., as I walked up to get my qualification as a GOS Nurse - albeit it the Green Uniform, instead of pink. She KNEW how I struggled to get to this point.
SHE helped me move into a new flat.
SHE cooked my 37th birthday cake as I had my FIRST Birthday party ever - and was very nervous.
Early days
Great Ormond Street Student Nurse
Then Staff Nurse
Then district nurse in Hackney where she rode a bike visiting patients
SHE cooked a cake for my PhD graduation. Then came and celebrated with me. On her dying days she opened her weak, weary eyes, looked at the Nurse as I sat beside her, and said "she has a PhD" . Said in pride and love. She gifted me even to the end. And she was part of my 'support team'. I thanked her. I hoped she felt my love and gratitude. I hope she did...
SHE visited Ann & I three years ago in the neurological hospital in Queens Sq, London and again, washed the dirty clothes and kept us in clean clothes.
SHE got her son Tim to look after my puppy - Saffi when I needed help.
SHE showed me around St Paul's Cathedral where she volunteered as seamstress on vestments and altar cloths.
SHE showed me her work training to teach English as a second language to refugees who were learning English
SHE and I had a memorable holiday together in the Lake District. We rowed boats, pulled bulrushes in the rain, walked the fells.
SHE & I had wonderful , relaxing times around her kitchen table.
SHE - was wonderful.
SHE was a true FRIEND. She made no demands, she asked for nothing, she was gentle, kind , quiet and a very GOOD person.
My Dear Friend Rachel
I am so, so, in despair & grief.
Yet Rachel's death has me thinking...your life may end any day. DO what you want to do, need to do, should do...NOW
Waste no time
Be strategic, deliberate...plan how each 'wish' will be achieved and get it done.
I ask Rachel to be beside me, to give me the strength to continue on , to do what I really want to do. I'll do it for YOU Rachel. I'll do it for YOU , my friend.
Then I will join you Rachel.
One day.
i can only say, to know rachel was a personal gift, she really was a true friend of yours, and a very precious person. she also was by my side too when i stayed with her. she was a great individual and did what we call the very christian 'do no harm.'
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