My friend Nancy is someone you would want to know. Whenever she came to my house she came bearing the most beautiful and fragrant roses from her garden. She had a way of seeing beauty in the little everyday events of life; the way the table was set, a view of something beautiful in a mirror hanging on the wall. She was a wonderful cheerleader for me & loved everything about my creative work with women. She would always be the first to call and say she loved my newsletter or buy pillows & whatever else I was making. She was kind & good and I was blessed to have her for my friend.
This past year the day came to say goodbye to Nancy, after her many treatments for a brain tumor did not restore her to health. On the morning of her services it took everything I had to face this sad farewell. God was shining upon all of us as the mist fell over the little chapel on the hill and reflected the purest beauty in the trees and the birds and the sacred quiet. As we all sat in the old wooden pews our hearts were heavy knowing what each of us knew that mattered to us. For me I would not sit and hold her sweet hand the way I loved to do, or eat mint chip icecream together on her birthday or call her Nancypants.
As I sat and listened a gift was placed in my heart ...as clear as day I knew that I was to reside in joy and bring this gift from Nancy to the women I work with. I read somewhere that when someone we love passes on we learn to live in the space they leave behind. That is just what happened ...this space opened up and with it a tranquil sense of peace and beauty, and Nancy's presence so evident. This was all brought on by hearing a song I did not know but as it was played it was as if Nancy was singing it to all of us to remind us of how precious life is.
The song was "I hope you dance" written by Mark Sanders & Tia Sillers and sung by Lee Ann Womack.
Listening to it became my healing salve over the months that followed and I knew it was the best message I could choose for my work. As I allowed my grief to transform into joy it continued to surprise me in the ways it guided me to create. One way was in photographing the beautiful roses from Nancy's service in the various stages of their life - first so fresh and full, then becoming wilted and softer but still so beautiful, and finally as they dried and yet remained so exquisite. As always nature speaks to us in such wise & poignant ways.
This site is dedicated to my sweet friend Nancy
who loved life & walked the path of beauty...
Nancy Lee Dorff
December 30, 1948 - February 19, 2008