Judi Hartman
The loss of Bonnie before the holidays encircles in my brain with images from the past 40 years. She was a strong and beautiful lady....on the outside..on the inside she was pure gold sharpened through the years by trials and experiences that sought to make her strong. Only rarely could I see a crack in her protective shell. When life and the strains of motherhood, marriage, and health issues sought to tug her down. She took her meds, consulted her doctors who helped her deal with the lupus that tried to drain her life. She found humor in times that tried her patience. I miss that lady, more than i'll ever let on....she was the quintessential big sister that made everything attainable when everything seemed to fall apart. She took my five month old first borne from my arms when my dad died so I could do all things that called on my heart in that time of loss. She had a way of giving you strength when you thought there wasn't enough. She had her second pregnancy when I had my first, she delivered on thanksgiving and I on Christmas. She was my support in "motherhood" through the years even after moving across the waters to Tampa. I remember her sharing one time when they were considering moving to Tampa shortly after her second child was borne.
While grocery shopping she became overwhelmed with all she was having to do and simply parked her cart and walked calmly out the door. She made it ok that I found myself years later wanting to do the same. The best times were washing dishes after family meals.....she would go wrist deep in the warm waters while i dried the dishes and packed away leftovers. It was just our tradition. I will miss that come Thursday. She is sitting in that rocker up on God's golden shore and rocking.....but asking if there is "anything she can do". Rarely, I must say, did she ask......she just did. Love you Bonnie.......know that I knew you and your heart and will miss it dearly.