[Editor’s Note: Thirty days ago, my kid sister died suddenly and mysteriously of natural causes. What follows is a shimmering tribute from a lifelong friend who never intended for her magnificently expressed thoughts to be made public. We publish them to honor my sister and to show how deeply true friendship runs through the rivers of life.]
Colleen — I can’t believe she is gone. It seems like only yesterday we were making plans to go to a county fair, something neither one of us had done in a long time.
We had not seen each other in a year, and we did have plans to get together in June.
But my dad went into the hospital, and we had to postpone getting together.
It doesn’t seem fair. Any other weekend I would have been home doing nothing.
We have always kept in touch over the years, but more so since I moved back to (my hometown) several years ago.
We got together a few times. Once she spent the weekend, and Debi V. joined us for an evening of reminiscing, laughing and looking at Noonan family pictures that Colleen had brought. We had a great time.
Growing up together on Broadway was a special time for all of us.
Colleen always as been great about keeping us informed as to how everyone in the Noonan family was doing.
I have received many nice cards from Colleen, and last year she surprised me with a lovely book of meditations on being a confident woman.
She was a very thoughtful person. When my dad was ill, she sent him numerous cards and called him several times. That meant so much to him.
Colleen was a rock for other people — supporting, loving and thinking of others.
I wish I had known she wasn’t feeling well so I could have supported her in some way.
It breaks my heart to think of her going through a scary and difficult time by herself.
I feel like God is taking care of her now, though, and I imagine that she will go on loving and helping others from the other side.
Before she passed, I was thinking about her as I was out walking and a beautiful butterfly flew right into me. It lit on a nearby car with its wings folded up. It looked at it, and I asked it to open its beautiful wings for me. It opened and closed them three times.
I love butterflies. I think they are symbols of transformation. It was as if it were a sign from Colleen that she was all right.
She was a very special person. She had such a wonderful personality. She made you feel good just to be around her. She was easy to talk to, and we had some great conversations over the years.
She was a special person in my life. I will treasure my memories of her (there are many), and I will miss her terribly.
All of you are very special to us. You are like family. We are thinking of you and sharing your sorrow.
Lots of love, Barb
Ms. Shear may be contacted through her brother at sshear01@sbcglobal.net
