Passing Away

Dec4


My mentor, Daphanie, passed away today. I received the call tonight and felt my entire body tighten up. As I hung up the phone I sat stunned. Then – my heart cracked open.

Odd isn’t it, this thing called “Life.” Earlier I was smitten with this block that Cathi posted on her blog. The Alabama Beauty peaked my interest. Mid-day I was at the Quilt Shop visiting with my friends, playing with fabric and photographing “Cabin Tracks.” My whole day was about quilting.

Tonight I’m grappling with the fact that Daphanie is gone. The woman that brought me to Quilting, gave me the tools to get started and continued to share this wonderful Art with me is gone from the World. She is with me in Spirit and in all the work I do but she is now and forever gone from the Earth. But who am I?

I am your friend that prays for those you left behind. The husband and friend of near 40 years that must be bereft and pained. The son whose depth of sorrow I can’t even begin to imagine, his wife who will be surely lost without you near her as together they raise two beautiful grandchildren that will never know you. I am your friend that prays for your family that must surely need prayer more than I.

Still, my heart is breaking.

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50 thoughts on “Passing Away”

  1. I'm so sorry for your sad loss Karen, God must have needed her for something very special to have taken her from you all. My heart goes out to both you and her family.
    *big hugs*
    Tazzie

  2. I'm so sorry to hear of your great loss …. but …. you know, she is up there watching you as you quilt along. She started you on this path and she ain't leaving you to go it alone. Still, this is a very sad time for you and we have to move on with life whether we like it or not. Hugs for you, my friend! :o )

  3. Karen, I am so sorry for your loss. Just remember, she lives on thru your spirit of quilting! She is the one who gave you your quilt life, and you have done well with it. I am sure she was always so proud of you. Please look at it like she would want you to, that her gift of quilting to you lives on and on and on.
    much love and prayers.
    Alice Grace

  7. So here I am at the end of a long line of friends who are feeling your pain and sadness. I am shocked to hear of your loss and sad too for Daphanie's family. I am so very sorry you have to go through this. I'm here for you, just sorry it took me a couple of days to get my butt over here to learn about this and to offer my support.

  10. Oh my goodness. Sorry I am reading this late. I've had a mostly non-computer weekend. You have my deepest sympathies for the loss of your friend. Take solace in the fact that she gave you the best gift ever–time and friendship and through that quilting. Sending heartfelt hugs to you.

  11. Karen, I am very sorry for your loss and grieve along with you. The only thing I can think of doing for you is pray, so I am doing just that. Take care, dear friend.
    Hugs, Karen (NanaKaren)

  16. Karen I am truly sorry for your loss. The sorrow that squeezes your heart will slowly ease into sweet memories that keep your mentor alive in your heart. Take care.

  17. Karen, I am so sorry to hear that your friend Daphanie went to a better place. I can feel you are hurting so much and I just like to grab you and give you a hug.
    Lots of hugs and prayers,
    Millie

  18. You are also the one who will always remember … who will allow her legacy to live on through every stitch you take … love, hugs, prayers, and unlimited blessings as you and others grieve.

  20. Sending love your way Karen. I have heard you mention Daphanie so often I feel that she is one of us. And so maybe in this big wide cosmic world she always will be. I know you get that.

  24. We can't take away your pain, and no one will ever fill the void she leaves behind. The only thing we bloggy friends can do is love you, support you, and marvel at what a great mentor Daphanie must have been to have kindled such a joy in your heart for quilting.

    Hugs.
    P.

  26. My heart hurts for you my dear. We are so lucky that you had such a wonderful mentor who inspired all that you have created here…what a gift indeed. What a difference she made in “our” world. I hold you tighter in my heart.

  27. I have been in this place and I have cracked so completely, I didn't know if I would still be me when it was all over. For six months I could barely breathe and it took three years of helping to get the surviving husband and two teenage sons to a better place.

    I lost my best friend of 20 years, and her 12 year old daughter…my own 12 year old's best friend since birth. We shared a piece of land, built our house together and raised 3 children in each other's back yards and houses.

    I know this pain and I know how the spirits eventually twine and grow into a new part of you in time. But, oh how it hurts!!!

  31. Oh my..you had to have received this call after mine…
    My heart aches for you during this time of loss and sadness. I know she met so much to you. Your hugged today and always…

  34. I am so sorry for your loss and the pain you are going thru at this moment. But thru all the heartreak, remember to celebrate the life that Daphanie shared with you.

  35. Your beautiful words have torn at my heart, Karen. You write so eloquently of a pain that I know (sad to say) only too well. She will live on in you in your creativity, and I know a part of every project you make will be dedicated to her. What a lovely legacy. My thoughts and prayers go out to you and to her family at this sad time.

  36. I'm sorry KarenDianne about the loss of your dear friend. My heart cries for you and those that are left here on this earth without her. My heart also rejoices for the new life that Daphne will now begin in the eternities – planning and patiently waiting for those she loves to join her.

  38. I am so very, very sorry, Karen Dianne. My heart, my thoughts, and my prayers are with you…and Daphanie's loved ones.

    Sincere hugs to you, my dear.

  42. I'm so sorry, Karen. She was obviously a wonderful person,a person you looked up to..
    I know you will go on quilting, and think of her with every stitch you make..
    Julia ♥

  44. My heart breaks in little tiny pieces – each a shiny bright tinkling star for you and your dear friend – if only we could put those pieces back together again. There are no words!!!

  45. I'm so sorry, Karen. She was obviously a wonderful person, and her death is sad for you and everyone who knew her. When I read earlier she was very sick with this flu, I worried, and am so sorry to hear that the worst happened.

  46. HUGS to you my dear friend. Know that every time you sit down to quilt, Daphanie will be with you in spirit. She will be with you as you ponder and cut and create and her spirit will guide you.

  50. Just want to say how very sorry I am for your loss and the heartbreak of all those left behind. You will all be in my thoughts and prayers for many weeks to come. I can't imagine the depth of your sorrow. God Bless.

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