Lovely Linda!
When driving up South Peak, and in passing the Gantes home, I would always look to see if the upstairs balcony door was open. When it was, I would know that Linda was home.
This is something so simple and seemingly inconsequential to others, but for me, it meant everything.
In that small moment of time and in looking for that door, I would nod in my understanding as to why Linda would do this.
I always knew that for Linda, an "open door" meant everything.
By opening that door, Linda was feeding her deep and true love and need for life, family,(especially her children) and her friends.
It was all about the light, the fresh air, and the view... and oh, what a view!
Sometimes, in my passing, I would honk my car's horn, just to say "Hello".
I always knew in those moments (and so did she), that somehow, even if she didn't hear me at that time, it was important.
Over a period of 30 years of friendship, and in the process of watching our children grow -( ...and Linda's children were her glory!)- Linda taught me something very important.
Linda taught me not to be afraid to give.
We were all blessed by Linda's inherent generosity of spirit.
She gave freely.
Linda's joy was to feed so many of us.
She did this with food and then would season it (and sustain us) with her genuine enthusiasm for life.
In Linda's presence, you always felt welcomed.
I am now, (and I understand that there are so many others...) personally, at a great loss.
An invitation to see Linda again was just recently put in the mail.
I now keep seeing so many memories and pictures of her on my wall.
God's speed to you, Linda!
Kelley Smith