I am sitting here crying my eyes out because of a very sweet email I got today from a very dear friend way back from when I lived in Germany and Irwin and I met in California. I wanted to share this with you because it is so loving and so true.
Dearest Claudia
Life has strange twists sometimes as a path leads you in a completely different direction. I cannot even begin to imagine how life has been for during these last couple of weeks. I sit here with a new baby in my arms and tears rolling down my cheeks as I remember some of the times I shared with both you and Irwin. Irwin would never tire year after year of showing my all of the sights that California had to offer. I have fond memories of trips to Muir Woods, L.A. (he would never tire of theme park rides), Twin Peaks which is magical during the day but especially so at night, wine tasting, nights at the bar ... I was lucky to be able to return his generosity on his trip to the UK and showed him the best this country has to offer - Stonehenge, The London Eye (there will be a jigsaw puzzle there somewhere with this on!), Oxford Street, Warwick Castle ...
I honestly count Irwin as one of those most special people that become part of your heart instantly and that you will always carry with you. I often joked to Irwin that when my kids were grown up and wanted to explore America, I would send them to stay with Uncle Irwin.
I always hoped that I played a part in introducing you both and that in some way I'd been responsible for making two great people happy - the fact that your lost luggage meant that you were able to try most of Irwin's wardrobe didn't go unnoticed! I never dreamt that the goodbyes would arrive so soon. I feel truly special to have known Irwin and to have shared some very special times with him.
Life may be cloudy now but I know that your warm personality and positivity towards life will shine through.
With much love and hugs
Helen, Ian, James & Alice xxxx
I just can't stop crying over this. Irwin and I were so fond of Helen and she truly did play a part in introducing us because she knew me from the European Sun Microsystems software team and Irwin from the US team.
Gosh, we had so much fun together.
And I just knitted a baby kimono for baby Alice a few months ago. Here is a picture of Helen I found in Irwin's archives from when she visited Stonehenge with him in September 2000.
Hugs to you Helen - you brought some very lovely memories back! Thank you!
Comments (2)
And now I'm crying too. But it's because I'm so happy that you shared you life with someone who was so loved by others, and because I'm happy that you have so many people to help hold you up during this most difficult time.
Posted by Katey | July 7, 2008 9:09 PM
Posted on July 7, 2008 21:09
What a beautiful tribute to his memory. It really says something about what kind of man he was.
Of course, it also says something about what kind of woman you are ; )
Posted by Brighton | July 8, 2008 8:49 AM
Posted on July 8, 2008 08:49