Today is a very special day. I want to pause for a moment to paint a portrait in words about a woman who inspires me. She’s a heroine to me and many others, but you won’t see a literal portrait of her on a book cover (and she prefers it that way.) She has the magical ability to breathe life into characters and plots seemingly without effort, yet the moment you digest the words she’s written, you sense she has spent countless hours mulling over a sequence of events or the tiny pieces of the puzzle to make it all flow so beautifully.
Her creativity extends beyond book borders to fashion living spaces that rival Architectural Digest for beauty. Like the writing, it all seems to come so easily to her, yet no one knows better than she the great price she pays, day in and day out, on many levels.
Life continues to chuck grenades at her, but she has the amazing ability to duck, weave, or punt and never once lose her dignity. When she takes on any task, you know she will finish it; it will be done right and you will need to take your own multi-vitamins faithfully to keep up with her brisk pace.
I’ve never known her to toss in the towel, run up a white flag, or abandon anything or anyone. Most touching of all, her loyalty extends beyond the human race to animal companions. She is steadfast and devoted to those whom others might consider lost causes, whether people or pets. Nobody, nothing will daunt her determination to solve a problem, ranging from complex formatting to an incontinent cat.
When she has your back, you know you’re safe. I thought I was one of those lost causes. She gave me the personal courage to venture online again after a long absence spawned by bitterness and broken dreams. For that, I cannot thank her enough. Distance makes celebrating together impossible, so I hope these words convey the heartfelt gratitude I want to give her on this special day of days.
Happy Birthday, Darby!
This is a beautiful tribute and greeting for Darby’s birthday. You know her well, she is all those things you mentioned and more than I have words for. She is my neighbor and I love and respect her as a person who shares her talents with others.
Jo Martin
Thank you so much Jo! I’m overwhelmed by the kind and loving words of my friends.
Darby
Your words about Darby are beautiful and inspiring in and of themselves, Patti. They make me wish I knew her as well as you do. How marvelous to have such a friend. Your piece makes me want to write something similar in tribute to a dear friend of mine, for over 40 years, who died just after Christmas. Thanks for the inspiration.
Thanks Char. I hope you will share that tribute to your friend in your blog. I’m sorry to hear you lost someone close recently. Hoping 2012 is better for you, too!
Speaking of inspiration, I love the latest quote in your blog. I’m going to make it my mantra this year:
“Write even when you don’t want to, don’t much like what you are writing, and aren’t writing particularly well.”
–Agatha Christie
Truly words to write by!
B, I am unable to find the appropriate words to express how much your tribute means to me–something a writer shouldn’t experience. So, I’ll just say thank you; I am blessed to have you in my life once again. If my birthday is any indication of how this year will play out, we are in for one heck of a year! And, I believe your predictions for Brit Darby are spot-on, the Year of the Dragon is going to be a memorable one.
D
Hmm, I think I’m the lucky one, so this is our first real disagreement I can recall!
Here’s to a New Year, and a shiny bright future for Brit Darby…*clinks glasses*