39 - Once In A Lifetime

I loved these bright summery colours. They were perfect for a photo of my dear friend; a bright summery kinda gal

I used all the colours and the sketch.

EVIDENCE
Rub ons
Leaves - Fabric and wood
Bird - Punched
Little bits and pieces - Buttons and the clock
Chalks - on the title
Wings - Butterflies
Frame - Stitched on the photo

TESTIMONY
I use the prompt "All I really need to know I learned from...."

ALL I REALLY NEED TO KNOW
I learned from my friend & colleague Bernadette.

When safely cocooned in my family of origin, I assumed I understood how the world worked. However, when I started nursing, I discovered there are many version of ‘normality’. My family’s philosophy on life, with its‘stiff upper lip’ and ‘don’t complain, don’t explain’ ideologies, was not the only way to live.

Bernadette was my senior Nurse and mentor when I first began Nursing Training in a small country town. I was still a naive kid and socially inept. when she tucked me under her wing, having noticed that I struggled with information overload and crippling shyness.

Her practical work ethic I understood, however hers was tempered with a keen sense of the ridiculous and good natured teasing. She located my funny bone and massaged it into life.

She was a free spirit, made friends easily, loved to dance and play tennis and I was dragged along for the ride. Gradually, my buttoned down mask dissolved in the warmth of her friendship.

Bernadette consoled me when I witnessed my first death and rejoiced with me at the miracle of birth. We laughed and cried together as we experienced the raw and intense emotional extremes of a career in Nursing.

In later years we saw each other less frequently. She lived a thousand kilometres away and we were each busy with our own families. Yet, when we visited, we could just pick up where we left off. I remember once, calling into her home for afternoon tea; husband and three kids in tow and leaving a week later!

Bernadette was an adventurer, she went abseiling, rode camels in the desert and travelled third world countries on her own. She was a vivacious and courageous woman, authentic and loyal, witty and wise, like a sparkling star leading the way to Nirvana.

She died too soon, my dear friend, a swift and savage death due to cancer. I cherished our friendship and I will always miss her. Vale Bernadette.

TFL & for any comments you care to leave, I appreciate each and every one of them.

If you are interested in the process and the products I used, feel free to hop on over to my blog at:-
http://texturesandtales.blogspot.com.au

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Tags: 12x12, 39, mask, mists, prima, More…punches
Albums: Case File No. 39

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Comment by Wilma Voermans on October 24, 2012 at 3:00am: Congratulations!!! I am so happy for you! I loved the things you said, it is so true!

Comment by suryanti halim on October 15, 2012 at 12:54am: I am so impressed by your story and beautiful layout too. so fresh and clean! congrats for being on the Star Witness too

Comment by Julene Matthews on October 13, 2012 at 5:44am: Helen this is a wonderful tribute and your layout is so good.

Comment by Ayeeda on October 13, 2012 at 3:15am: Big congrats Helen! Amazing page!

Comment by Em Stafrace on October 12, 2012 at 6:33pm: Oh Helen, what a wonderful homage to a dear friend xox. You really do have a way with words that envelopes the reader your sensitivity is heart warming. Divine page and a much deserved Star witness xox

Comment by Billie-Jean Beveridge on October 12, 2012 at 12:04am: What a wonderful page Helen :) Congrats on being the star witness again, well deserved!!!You do have a gift for journaling for sure and i love that cluster of flowers :)

Comment by Riikka Kovasin on October 11, 2012 at 7:30am: Huge congratulations - amazing work, as always! <3 You have such a gift for journaling!

Comment by Violette on October 10, 2012 at 9:25pm: Congrats for being the Star Witness! This is a touching story and you found a great design to share it with us.

And thank you very much for the love you left me about my page Cheeze {Burger} Bacon! :-)

Comment by Wendy Sue Bennett on October 10, 2012 at 8:48am: Congratulations !! So wonderful to see this beautiful story put on a lo. Very inpiring. Love your misting!