Dolly Hawkins, my friend, died a few days ago. I’m still in shock because it was so sudden. She had a burst aneurysms in her brain and a few days later she was gone. All of us who knew her grieve today for this woman, so full of life, who left here much too soon.
Dolly was my age and she followed her dream to live in Costa Rica when she and her husband retired.
She lived in Georgia when I first knew her probably 13 or so years ago. She was a creative designer of homes and rooms and her husband was a builder. The last several years she lived in Costa Rica with her husband, George and her mother, Dory. They ran a B&B from their spacious home and I had the privilege of being there last year and this year as well. First was a trip with friends who also knew Dolly and this second one, one year later, was with my brothers and sister’s in law. We had a wonderful time staying at their place in Alleueja and meeting people they knew and touring the country.
Dolly was also responsible for helping Bill and I to plan the graduation trip for Brian to Las Vegas and the Grand Canyon. Her advice and suggestions helped to make it a perfect vacation.
Dolly wrote beautiful poetry about nature and her philosophies on life. We were in the same writing group, The Skywriters, for probably 10 years.
She was at my house this year for a writing retreat with other women in the Skywriters, I’m so glad I had that opportunity to be with her. I can hear her reading her poetry to us so clearly and see her sitting yoga style on my couch listening or composing poetry.
I feel her presence in her home state, Georgia, in many states where we traveled along with the other HCCer‘s as a group, in Las Vegas which is a place she loved, in Costa Rica, and in my home in Florida. So many memories flood in as I think of her not being here any longer to enjoy these times with. I hope the essence of her will always be in my mind as I envision or walk in these places. I wasn’t ready to say good-bye.
9 comments:
I'm not ready for good bye with Dolly either Judy - beautiful post. I have not known Dolly as well, as long, or shared as many memories, just treasured the bright fire in her poets voice - will always imagine her on horseback, though I've only seen her that way in poems.
I only knew Dolly a short time but saw immediately what a cool person she was. She did leave too soon and my heart bleeds for George and her Mom. I will miss knowing that Dolly is living her dream in Costa Rica.
I wasn't ready for her to leave either, Judy. It has been a hard week knowing she is now gone and won't return.
Well said, Judy. I also find it difficult to believe she is gone so quickly.
Your post is a wonderful tribute to Dolly, Judy. Thank you for writing it, and sharing.
It still seems beyond comprehension to me that Dolly is gone, Judy. Such a nice tribute you wrote to her here. I'll always treasure the last time I was with her at your home in Florida. I'll always hold her hugs dear in my heart and my memories of her and her poetry and friendship over the last 13 years.
Judy, thanks for your beautiful words and pictures in your tribute to Dolly. I will miss her greatly too, though I was not lucky enough to know her as well or to travel to Costa Rica to her B&B. I always looked forward to seeing Dolly at the gatherings we shared.
Barb
I like the addition of the pictures, especially love the last one of Dolly, Peggy and Lexie.
This was wonferful, loved seeing Dolly one more time. How wonderful that you did this for her and us.
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