Dear Betty:
You said to me before I moved to Victoria, “You are leaving me and won’t be here to keep me company.” I am so sorry that over the last four years I was unable to see you except for the few times I was in Calgary. Geography came between us - you in Calgary, and I in Victoria. But if I could, I would tell you now, “If I had a flower for every time I thought of you...I could walk through my garden forever.” (Alfred Tennyson)
We became friends, thanks to Max, and over the years, our friendship grew. The memories: all those shared dinners, dinner parties, Christmas parties cocktail hours, sitting together in our front yards watching the world go by, sipping our beverages of choice, you always considerate of not smoking me out; the sharing of confidences, the kindness and love you showed to Katherine, Teddy and me, your generosity…all those beautiful flowers every summer adorning my front steps and garden. Back then, we were in each other’s houses almost every day of the week, every week of the month, every month of the year.
Not only did I know you as a dear and true friend, but I also knew you as a shrewd businesswoman, a strong, independent, intelligent and determined person, a kind and caring individual with a deep love of animals. Max was one lucky dog; and so were Katherine and I.
I will forever treasure our friendship and the memory of you; and one day,
“We should meet in another life, we should meet in air, me and you.” (Sylvia Plath)
Good bye for now, Betty!
From your friend, Jennifer
