Thursday, February 16, 2012

Bruce Winn

My dear friend Bruce died a couple of weeks ago. 
Last spring I started going to Michael and Bruce's home once a week to helping with any tasks that needed doing. He fought a graceful fight. His love and creativity are missed by so many.
I shared the words below at his memorial service...with great difficulty...
My heart weighs ten tons.



folding laundry
fixing lunch
fixing breakfast
feeding lunch
feeding breakfast
cleaning the kitchen

up the stairs
down the stairs

always check on the patient

scheming and preparing sweet treats
dumping urine
rinsing vomit bucket
watering plants
dusting
vacuuming

wiping
brushing
applying

water, gatorade, straws
checking pills
pop tarts, crescent rolls

talking:
business
design
foundry
store
family
friends
doctors
hospitals
living
dying
holidaze
holiday food
the girlz
glee
downton

changing focus
changing sides
changing sheets
changing meds

slowing down
narrowing the view with
grace
humor
fatigue

rebounding
regressing
releasing

a precious intimate gift

and michael, you are the best!

4 comments:

Loretta a/k/a Mrs. Pom said...

I'm glad that you found the words to write about this, Tracy. May his heart always be with you.

Carol Mania said...

Such a wonderful man and you, such a wonderful friend. Bruce will be dearly missed.

A Magical Whimsy said...

Tracy,
This is a dear post. It is astounding that the body rebounds right at the last,like you said, then regresses, and then releases. I saw the very same thing happen with my dad in 1995 when he was fighting a loosing battle against Acute Lymphoblast leukemia. It was as though his spirit was preparing his soul for flight at the very end. It was so brave of you to help Bruce in his daily care giving.
May you enjoy teaching across the country as the year progresses. The one in Petaluma sounds awesome! It's one of my favorite cities to visit. And there is the Halloween event 'Halloween & Vine' or something like that in September in Petaluma too. So many amazingly creative artist are there.
I am in about four doll ning sites, making altered dolls, etc. in Cloth and Clay doll ning with Jane Des Rosier as the host; Izannah Walker ning; MAIDA doll ning with Dixie Redmond as the host; and We Love Esty! ning.
I love creating in many different art forms as it keeps me 'centered'.
May you have a prosperous rest of the week~
Teresa in California
http://amagicalwhimsy.blogspot.com/

Tracy Stilwell said...

thanks teresa for your nice comments! i am so grateful that i had the chance to hang with bruce. it was such a gift. will check out the sites you mentioned. was hooked into ning a while ago. have a great day and keep making great stuff!!