25 Comments
User's avatar
Sara da Encarnação's avatar

Wonderful tribute:) make Demeter keep him in her arms tenderly.

Monica Fernandes's avatar

Thanks, Sara. Greatly missed. A really special connection I had.

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

I understand that well, when I was young and even during my adult life, I was deeply connected with a group of older people that became closer to me than my own family:)

Sara da Encarnação's avatar

to you too:)

Nabanita's avatar

This is uplifting in a warm embrace kind of way. What a lovely friendship you had with Bill!

Monica Fernandes's avatar

Thank you, Nabanita. Truly special.

Gathering the Pieces of Me's avatar

I also had a person in my life that I can relate to Demeter. She was my constant in a world where I needed a straight talker but where she also needed a daughter that cared. She passed away during COVID and I couldn’t attend her funeral. I wrote a small piece on her this year when I reflected on the women who had influenced me. Maggie was my prayer warrior, pseudo mum and friend. She did the hard work, even in the seasons where the light was very dim at the end of the tunnel.

Monica Fernandes's avatar

Oh, Esmari. I felt that. We are so lucky to have had such amazing people. They leave a hole in our hearts because we loved them so much.

Monica A Leyva's avatar

This is a beautiful story. Now pardon me while I grab my tissues. He sounds like a wonderful man.

Monica Fernandes's avatar

He truly was. You would have loved him.

Meggen In The Middle's avatar

I loved reading about the friendship you had with Bill. I am so sorry for your loss. Finding out after the fact is a special kind of grief. But what a wonderful way to celebrate him.

Monica Fernandes's avatar

Thanks, Meggen. He was a really amazing man.

Meggen In The Middle's avatar

You are welcome Monica:)

Karen Sibal's avatar

Soo good, Monica. I'm sorry for the loss of Bill, what a special guy right to the end. Beautiful tribute and beautifully written in the context of Demeter, and you've made me look around to truly appreciate the simplest things with much more gratitude :)) Thank you.

Monica Fernandes's avatar

Thanks, Karen. He truly was incredible. I tried to equate it to her because, to me, she represents that steady tending of self-care and support. I’m so happy this highlighted the gratitude piece for you. 💕🙏🏼

Betsy Chasse's avatar

Sort of needed this today… You know how you don’t realize you need something until you have it and then you’re like oh I needed that… Like that kind of sort of

Monica Fernandes's avatar

I totally get it, Betsy.

Sarah Newton-John's avatar

Bill sounds like a lovely person and I am sorry for your loss, you can count on two hands special friends like that. You have made a nice eulogy here.

Monica Fernandes's avatar

Thank you, Sarah. I didn’t even think about it being a eulogy. I’ll dive deeper in the Private Letter on Friday. 😉🙏🏼💕

Sarah Newton-John's avatar

I didn't mean a formal eulogy, but lovely memories, eulogising him.

Monica Fernandes's avatar

Yes, yes. I got that! 🫶

Sarah Newton-John's avatar

hehe!

Lisa Djahed's avatar

what a beautiful tribute, and an active one...

Monica Fernandes's avatar

I miss him terribly.