A TRIBUTE TO MY FRIEND, FLO ANN BENDER
Its happened again. Just this past Friday evening. Another friend has passed away. The memorial services are coming too fast and close together. I was bemoaning this to a friend and she reminded me of my age. Of course I hadn't forgotten I just celebrated my seventy-fourth birthday. Now that number does not seem old to me. Have you listened to Willard Scott on the Today Show call out the birthdays? Today we have a lady who is 106 and a man who is 108.We are definitely living longer.
My friend Flo Ann was a couple of years younger than I. She had gone through three bouts of breast cancer and the third time it metastasized into her vital organs.She was a strong lady, a woman of deep faith. She set an example for all of us to follow.
I first met Flo Ann at a book signing. We hit it off immediately. We had similar backgrounds..... both grew up in a rural area, she in Ohio and I in Virginia. Both had fought breast cancer, going through the unpleasant effects of chemo. We were in our senior years when our first book was published. And I could list more but the one thing that brought a closer relationship was her taking my Memoir Writing class. It was here that I learned what a special person she had been all her life. Her memoirs were from her heart, speaking of childhood experiences on the farm or stories about her family.
Shortly before I met her she was one of several co-authors of a book called, "Reflections From the Heart."This is a collection of poems, stories, and meditations of inspiration. She has several selections included in the book. One of my favorites is "The Best Gift."("Reflections From the Heart," by Cherri Bingham with co-authors, Book Stand Publishing, c2007) This is a letter to her daughter to be kept and read when she is an adult and has children of her own. It tells of a time when money was in short supply and she gave her daughter some clay to make a creche. In doing so her daughter revealed she understood the true meaning of Christmas. Another selection, "God is In Control," ends in this way--"You need to always have a goal. Dream it. plan it,and fulfill it. God will give you strength for whatever you are doing. He will be with you every step of the way. I am grateful for this life that he has given me. I have realized that God wants each of us to celebrate life everyday to the fullest.(pp116-117)
by many. And yes, you dreamed it, you planned it, and you fulfilled it. Rest in peace, my friend.Flo Ann, you will be missed
Darlene Eichler/July 23, 2012
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