Linda will forever be indellible in my mind and heart.

I was lucky enough to know her for many years when I lived in Chapel Hill. I witnessed her creative talent in film, and saw how the wonder of her eyes and  heart behind the camera opened people's lives to new understandings of each other, and helped them break through their fears and prejudices. She made the beauty of people's lives visible to one another.

I also saw the artisic furniture she designed and made. Her creativity overflowed.

I was there as a friend to her in the days before Annie joined her,  I will always see the shining beauty of her face when she made the decision to adopt Annie, and I witnessed her overwhelming joy when Annie arrived. Annie brought a purity of love to Linda which Linda had never before experienced, and Linda gave back to Annie a thousand fold. It was a relationship to behold and to cherish always.

I was taking care of my mother during those years, and my mother loved Annie. At 86 she got down on her hands and knees and crawled around Linda's dining room table, teaching Annie to crawl. What a scene that was!

Now Annie is a strong, beautiful and talented young woman. She has had a loving upbringing from a remarkable Mother, and will have the courage to bring forth her own talents and gifts to a needy world.

I have sent Linda my love and many prayers. I send my love to Annie forever.

My unending thanks go to all of you who were able to surround and hold Linda and Annie through these extremely challenging times.

Ellen Mitchell

July 30, 2011

Dear Linda-

Two years ago today, I met you in person for the first time.  We had been introduced to each other by a mutual friend, who thought we would have much in common.  We had both just started our cancer journeys, and we had much to share about our experiences, our hopes and dreams, our fears, our glimpses of wonder.  We wrote stories and poems to each other in email, then made the wonderful discovery - we shared the same birthday!   I had never before met anyone whose birthday was the same day as mine.  We were like little girls giggling at this, seeing cosmic meaning in both our meeting and our births.

Two years ago, I joined you and a group of lovely friends at your home for your birthday celebration.  Do you remember?  The temperature was just right and we all marvelled at what a lovely, perfect day it had been.  July 30th, and it was in the low 80's!

You showed me your beautiful garden, introduced me to your beloved daughter, sat in the outdoor swing and chatted, brought your dear friends over to meet me.  People had written and posted tributes to you all over your wall.  We had candles and song and starlight and fireflies.  There was so much love pouring over all of us in your backyard that night.  You loved so deeply and were loved so deeply in return.

Today, that love still pours over all of us.  Today is your birthday, and you're still giving us gifts:

The Caravan of the Unseen
enters the visible world,...
The other world keeps coming into this world.
Like cream hidden in the soul of milk,
No-place keeps coming into place ...
And from beyond intellect, beautiful Love
Comes dragging her skirts,
a cup of wine in her hand.
And from beyond Love,
that indescribable One
Who can only be called "That"
keeps coming.

Happy Birthday from Rumi and from Julie ,,,

My heart is heavy and joyous as I ponder Linda’s kind and generous nature.  She gave of her full heart to all she encountered.  I will miss her warm smile and vibrant spirit. 

Blessings to you all, 

Anna

To Linda:

These days I see and feel clearly the blessing of Linda; the teacher, in my life.  She was true to her heart; she followed it and showed me how to do the same! Indeed, she created a beautiful relationship with multiple communities of loving and generous people who have been and continue to surround her, her beloved Annie, her sister Leslie and me as we go forward in the wake of her legacy of service and love. Such a perfect cushion for those she loves and left behind.

Among the many things I have learned from Linda, the one that was most evident as she came closer to death, was about love and forgiveness--of oneself.  Part two of that lesson was/is about allowing; allowing people to love you in whatever way they wish to express that.  I have some practicing to do before my time of transition arrives.

In Love, in Peace and with Gratitude,

Terri 

June 1, 2011

With Linda

Stroking her smooth, shortened hair,

her eyes closed, mouth open, 

breathing irregular holds of air, 

Baby breath. Baby skin, Smell

of newborn, washed clean in

transpiring, loving, woman,

the same as when she was newly

here on earth.

We sing. She breathes. We breathe.

She breathes. We hold hands.

She holds still. We laugh. 

She breathes. We love.

And yes, we know she loves. 

She's loved her lifetime long, and we

have eaten of her love. She

loved her honeysuckle sorbet--smiled

with each bite--reached lips and laughed

for more. I saw the soul enter and exit

brilliant then dim, darting out,

then slowly, serenely circling her dying face 

with images of love.

We loved. She loved. She breathed. 

We ate. She laughed. She breathed. 

The soul then said, "No need to breathe just now.

No need to breathe, love lasts forevermore." 

Just as the great love that flows and fills our hearts, 

flows and fills the empty space she's left, 

her silence fills the room

with love that lasts forevermore.

Paul

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 4:28 AM

Dear Friends,

Tonight has provided a singular grace--to be with Linda in some of the final moments of her life.

Based on a thoughtful email message from Terri about 11:40 pm, I planned to visit first thing this morning, but I felt a strong leading to go right away. When I arrived at the Hospice a little after 12:30 am, I found Leslie, her sister, stroking Linda's arm and soothing her as she labored to breathe. Leslie left around 1:30. I held Linda's hand and shared some remembrances of our time together. Pam Schwingl arrived about 2:30. She and I talked for a while, I said goodbye to Linda, and I signed out at 2:55 am, intending to return at 7 to relieve Pam. At 3:15, she phoned to say she had been holding Linda's hand and talking with her when she passed at 3:05.

I returned to the Hospice at 5 am, joining Annie and Terri, Leslie, Linda's friends Faye Stanley and Susan Inglis, and Annie's friend and fellow Upper Schooler Emma Armstrong-Carter. Gathered around the bed, we sang I'll Fly Away, Swing Low Sweet Chariot, and other hymns--a joyous time. Annie seemed to be in good spirits, no tears during this two-hour celebration of the life of her mom. We packed up the photos of Linda and Annie that had adorned the walls, the Minute of Appreciation recently adopted by her colleagues on the CFS Board of Trustees, and other items.

We said our final goodbyes to Linda and to one another and headed into the sunshine of a new day.

Linda's life and her leaving of it have been powerful witness to her generosity of spirit and her zeal for living. She adored and appreciated Friends School, especially for the love and nurture Annie has felt here. I heard that affirmation the first time Linda and I met, at the Trustees retreat in September 2009 when we were paired for an exercise and broke the rules, sitting in the rocking chairs on the deck of the Upper School instead of walking as instructed. Coming to know Linda as I have since then has been a true gift. So many of you have been sources of comfort for her during these long days, and will continue to support Annie. Thank you, and thanks for indulging my reflections on our remarkable friend.

Anthony

Tuesday, May 31, 2011 7:35 AM
The Final Phase

Friends,

Linda breathed her last at about 3oclock this morning. We sang a few songs and then the birds took over us. It is a new day.

Susan Inglis

TWO songs we sang—

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine

I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine

A million tomorrows shall all pass away

'Ere I forget all the joy that is mine...today

I'll be a dandy and I'll be a rover

You'll know who I am by the song that I sing

I'll feast at your table, I'll sleep in your clover

Who cares what the 'morrow shall bring.

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine

I'll taste your strawberries, I'll drink your sweet wine

I can't be contented with yesterday's glory

I can't live on promises winter to spring

Today is my moment and now is my story

I'll Laugh and I'll cry And I'll sing

Today, while the blossoms still cling to the vine

I'll taste your strawberries I'll drink your sweet wine

A million tomorrows shall all pass away

'Ere I forget all the joy that is mine...today

Chorus:

Swing low, sweet chariot
Coming for to carry me home,
Swing low, sweet chariot,
Coming for to carry me home.

I looked over Jordan, and what did I see
Coming for to carry me home?
A band of angels coming after me,
Coming for to carry me home.

Chorus

Sometimes I'm up, and sometimes I'm down,
(Coming for to carry me home)
But still my soul feels heavenly bound.
(Coming for to carry me home)

Chorus

If you get there before I do,
(Coming for to carry me home)
Tell all my friends I'm coming too.
(Coming for to carry me home)

Chorus

If I get there before you do,
(Coming for to carry me home)
I'll cut a hole and pull you through.
(Coming for to carry me home)

Chorus