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GOODNIGHT FROM HEAVEN... saying goodbye to a dear friend

In the stillness of night, when the world was asleep, my heart heard the words: GOODNIGHT FROM HEAVEN. I've hesitated to write here about the recent passing away of a dear friend, Neele. When I received The sudden news a few weeks back, it momentarily shattered the innermost heart of what I've come to know as feeling AT HOME on earth. Beyond our personal abodes, we grow the gardens that are abiding through the spaces and songs of friendships. Like the refrain or chorus of a musical score, we all get to know well, how it begins and somewhat of how it ends, but it's the spaces IN BETWEEN that fill the pages of a life-story with original lyrics & songs of friendship. She left the world with many songs in many hearts. Anyone who knew Neele at all, will, I believe, know for a lifetime one of the greatest treasures of our humanity--- a true friend. A few weeks ago, surrounding the sadness of our celebration of life gathering to remember her, the gladness was remembered in the hearts of so many, and rendered, especially, in the faces of her children, Colin and Arianne.

Neele was exceedingly generous with her gifts... her joy and infectious laughter, her affections and artistry... she had the wisdom to---in the works of the infamous music--- Let It Be... to not intrude upon what she may have considered to be divine arrangements, but rather to gather the energies and impressions, notice the patterms of movement, observe the animation--- and simply give thanks for the elementary GOODNESS and dynamics of A GREATER LOVE that was somehow ever-present and to be trusted. Her faith was strong that way.To hear her talk about Life's images & impressions, was like viewing verbal pictures at an exhibition... to be observed, to be sought out and strengthened by, to be revered, one-by-one, as yet another reflection of Divinity, bearing gifts for a struggling humanity.

Sometimes Neele would say or write "Thank you, Mara, for just being you." Who in this world wouldn't know the priceless gift of space and room to grow that only a true friend allows? In a refreshing and earthy style all her own, she polished pearls and tended rosebushes in all those IN BETWEEN spaces of so many lives, so many hearts, making us all, feel at home...I was so blessed and inspired and remain in awe of this beautiful woman, dearest friend, and the numerous ways in which she resided in my life. And I'll always remember her colorful personality, bundled in scarves and subtle accessories, thinking like a mountain and moving through our lives like a gentle breeze, as dusk descended one ordinary day, and changed our lives forever.

[Neele's bird is her original sketch; she did a lot of painting in her later years. Below is one she did of her favorite, local place to hike at the end of Coldwater Canyon in the L.A. area.}

Posted by Mara Hawks, REALTOR®, Homes For Sale in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama, AU, Lee County on 08/31/2008 10:41 PM

Comments (25)

home, hearts, heaven, friendship, gratitude, inspiration, amazing women, neele dewulf, artist

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25 Comments on GOODNIGHT FROM HEAVEN... saying goodbye to a dear friend

My regrets for your loss, Mara. She was evidently a wonderful woman . . .and artist.

Regards,

Lloyd Nichols

08/31/2008 10:50 PM

by LLoyd Nichols~SW Florida Homes (Right Choice Realty LLC)

Thank You for sharing her with us too.

08/31/2008 10:51 PM

by Dinah Lee Griffey Peninsula Real Estate Marketing (Windermere Peninsula Properties)

Mara, Your tribute to you dear friend is one ot the most beautiful I have ever read. I can understand why your heart is so torn up. Your writing reveals an extraordianary friendship of the soul & spirit. May you find comfort in knowing that her spirit lives on & that you shared a bond that can never be broken.

GBU,

Ginger

08/31/2008 10:54 PM

by Wilmington NC Real Estate Ginger & Roger Sala Keller Williams (Keller Williams Wilmington North Carolina)

Mara - Neele will always be with you, in your heart. Cherish the time you had with her and be thankful for the awesome memories. I'm so sorry for your loss - it's hard to lose someone you love

08/31/2008 10:54 PM

by Mary Warren (Referring Agent)

Mara, I KNOW how much Neele meant to you because you told me so. Losing a true friend in her who is so generous and so accepting with you is very hard on you. This was an excellent post of all your feelings and love for her. Thank you so much for this expression. Rest assured Neele's bird is flying somewhere now in heaven.

08/31/2008 10:55 PM

by Gary Woltal - REALTOR® Dallas Ft. Worth (Keller Williams Realty)

Mara-I'm very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing her with all us. I'm glad you decided to do that as I hope it will help you in the healing process. Friendships like the one you had with Neele are so precious and bring such beauty and happiness into our lives. She is gone but will never be forgotten in your heart where she will live forever. God bless you and give you strength during this time of sorrow. Pat

08/31/2008 11:16 PM

by Pat Preston (RE/MAX 1st Olympic)

Mara, What a beautiful tribute to Neele and I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. Blessings to her family and friends during this time.

09/01/2008 09:20 AM

by Carole Provenzale Owner, Feng Shui Long Island & New York (Feng Shui Long Island & New York City)

Mara - I am sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Life is never easy it seems.

09/01/2008 02:21 PM

by Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty)

I know how difficult this must have been to write... I'm so thankful you chose to post it. How wonderful it is that she shared the words, pictures and paintings... that you have that tangible presence of her to go along with so many memories. You're in my thoughts, Mara- I wish you serenity through these days.

09/02/2008 10:07 AM

by Chuck Willman, Arizona East Valley Realtor® (Gentry Realty)

GREAT post, we dont know how a friend impacts our lifes, they witness our lives with us as we grow together some stay for years others are there for a period of time, we are all blessed.

09/02/2008 10:30 AM

by Lynn911.com ~ Top Dallas Real Estate Agent (Dallas Real Estate ~ Lynn911.com )

Mara - Thanks for sharing such a wonderful tribute to the friendship you experienced with Neele. She sounds like a wonderful person who gave so much to others during her short time with the people she loved. Hopefully we can learn lessons on giving encouragement to others just as she did for her friends.

09/02/2008 11:13 AM

by Lynn Johnson, Owatonna, MN Real Estate (Coldwell Banker Home Connection)

Lloyd, Dinah, Ginger, Mary, Gary, Pat, Carole, Bill, Chuck, Lynn911, Lynn... Thank you for your care & lovingkindness... what a gift of healing words that you have given to me. I've only met you in this RAIN, and yet there is a kindred tone that touches the depths of my emptiness, and softens into a smile. Thank you...

(Neele's van Gogh...)

09/03/2008 08:59 PM

by Mara Hawks, REALTOR®, Homes For Sale in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama, AU, Lee County (FIRST REALTY)

Mara, sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Sounds like she was a wonderful woman, artist and friend. Thank you for sharing her with us. Take care.

09/05/2008 04:35 PM

by Gary White~ Grand Rapids Real Estate, FlexIt Realty, a call or click away! (Flexit Realty~Serving West Michigan)

Mara ... thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing such a personal story. Your post is a tribute to Neele and I know you loved her. I pray for comfort for you! Neele's paintings are absolutely amazing!! I adore the colors and the impressionism .... what a nice legacy.

09/05/2008 06:41 PM

by Sharon Young REALTOR® Bonita Springs, Fl (Keller Williams Elite Realty, Bonita Springs Florida)

what a beautiful beautiful post and tribute to a dear friend.........it was so moving and hit close to home........a dear friend of mine from high school and my matron of honour just passed away a few weeks back.......and even though we weren't that close these last few years.........so many memories came flooding back, when I knew there would be no more.......unfathomable .........thats what it all is to me.....i'm so sorry for the loss of someone that was so special to you...

09/06/2008 01:58 AM

by Liz Moras - Chilliwack Realtor - Chilliwack Real Estate Sales (Associate Broker for ReMax Nyda Realty)

Gary - thank you for stopping by & learning a little bit about my friend & for leaving your kind words.

Sharon - Neele & I were young moms, then both worked in the school office for years, busy with Mother's Club events & our families. In the 90's, we both went through divorces together. She began to paint for the first time, astounding her art teacher. I'll never forget her non-chalant response & how she would shrug this off, commenting that "I always knew it was in me, I just never had the time to bring it out!" It amazed me how it just never surprised her at all! thank you for your heARTfelt comment.

Liz - I'm so sorry for your loss of your friend. I know you can understand, and your word unfathomable truly describes it... what you might expect one day--- in your mind, but can't begin to imagine, after the day, in your heart. Your friend must have also been quite young... may angels watch over you and strengthen you on your own journey... keep walking, shine and rain... dearest hugs to you.

Everyone - This is a picture of a painting of Neele (when she was "new"), done by her aunt...you can see the gift in the family tree...

09/06/2008 05:25 AM

by Mara Hawks, REALTOR®, Homes For Sale in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama, AU, Lee County (FIRST REALTY)

Mara - This is a beautiful tribute to your late friend. I thank you for having the courage to share this with us here. I am going to include this one in the Family Ties recap today.

09/16/2008 05:41 PM

by Jason Crouch, Broker - Austin Texas Real Estate (Austin Texas Homes, LLC)

Mara, what an absolutely beautiful tribute to what was a wonderful woman. Thank you for sharing this, and letting us feel how special she was to you.

09/16/2008 08:44 PM

by Susan Mangigian, West Chester PA Realtor RE/MAX Preferred, ABR (RE/MAX Preferred, West Chester, PA, RS152252A)

Mara, Thank you for sharing Neele with us, sounds like she was a wonderful woman. Her art is beautiful. I know it must have been a very difficult post to write.

09/16/2008 11:01 PM

by Kara Casamassina, "Boomers and beyond..." (The Carolina Real Estate Company)

Jason - Thank you... getting to know of your strength and courage in everyday Life, that I gather in many of your posts, fortifies these needed qualities for me (and many, I'm certain) for these particular moments of Life.

Susan - I feel and appreciate, so much, your soulful stream of support, always.

Kara - Thank you for letting me share a story of my friend with you. I haven't visited this blog in a few weeks... I was feeling the void so much yesterday and this morning, and came back here... the comments and presence of all you people in the RAIN, continue to hug my heart, re-syncing its offbeat rhythm...such a strength and comfort, this community...

10/02/2008 06:33 AM

by Mara Hawks, REALTOR®, Homes For Sale in Auburn-Opelika, Alabama, AU, Lee County (FIRST REALTY)

Mara- It feels good to see that your Post has been able to help you in some way. I remember you telling me about your friend, and the loss you felt. This Post has b een able to do more than you expected at the time, giving you a place to put your thoughts, share your love, and now come back and feel a sense of peace.........

Just wanted you to know I was thinking of you :)

10/05/2008 07:51 PM

by Kathy McGraw ~ Calif Broker (CELLing Realty)

Mara - Thank you for sharing this post with us and it is very sad to see some one we love leave us. Hang in there kid and we are all here if you need any comfort.

Robert Swetz

10/06/2008 01:42 AM

by ROBERT A.SWETZ (777S INC. Photography & Real Estate Investments )

Mara, you are so fortunate to have had friend in you life like Neele. Your tribute to her and the good things you wrote about her, lets us know she was a very special person. You also have to be special to have had a friend like Neele. My prayer are with you.

10/08/2008 07:58 AM