Via Les’ page at Caring Bridge:
Linda was born in Toronto Canada September 11, 1963. She was my best friend for almost 24 years. My best friend died this morning. I met Linda 24 years ago on Fort Lauderdale Beach where I was sailing my Hobie Cat sailboat. She was down here on vacation from Canada. There she was, this 5 foot 10 inch beautiful blond girl in a sexy white bikini walking along the waters edge, walking toward me. I asked her to go sailing with me, at first she said no. We talked for a while and then she said yes. She left her brother on the beach to bake in the sun, Pale white Canadian skin vs. Florida sunshine. Ouch! We sailed all afternoon and as they say the rest is history. She spent her final days sailing off the coast of Fort Lauderdale in the exact same places as we sailed when we first met. Although she did not pass away on the boat, she died over looking sunrise bay and the Inter Coastal Waterway with the boat she spent her last days on in view.
We had an amazing life together and probable had more fun and adventures in our short time together then most people. We could have written a book on how to have fun as a couple for the long term. We would do some crazy things and knew there is two ways of looking at what life is offering, scary situation or an amazing adventure. We always chose the adventure way at looking at things.
For anyone who ever met Linda they could see how her smile would light up any room. I am not sure how she would always see the best in things, but she did. When we would be driving somewhere and someone would cut us off. I would get pissed and she would say, ” Why are you getting angry ” I would reply “because they just cut me off “! Linda would then say ” so what, why be angry, anger will not change that fact they cut you off, and it’s not a healthy feeling. Then she would smile at me with that big bright beautiful smile. How could I stay angry after seeing that smile? I will remember that, and will look at things differently now. Looking at life the way she did. Life is too short to worry about the small stuff. If everyone treated each other the way Linda treated everyone we would be living in an amazing world.
There has been a hole in my hart for 8 months. Today it just got bigger. I have an emptiness about me for now, I’m sure that is normal and some day, if I am lucky, it will once again be filled.
I have heard the saying ” things happen for a reason?. I am not sure why Linda was taken from me, but as far as reasons go. I can’t think of a better reason than Friendships. Friendships, that never existed before Linda was hurt. Not just friendships with me, but between people whom new Linda and me, but not each other, and are now friends, Friendships with people I already new but now have become extremely close to. Time will tell whether all these new and close friendships will last. They will if Linda has anything to say and do about it.
I have no date for a service yet. It will be on Delray Beach and on a Saturday. Linda’s ashes will be put to sea off the coast of Delray Beach. If there is wind I will Kite board out and drop them. Anyone who wants to join is welcome. Jet skis, sailboats, Kite boarders. We loved the water and the ocean and it is there she will be. I will need help logistically when the day arrives.
Related posts here, here, here, and here.
LifeMemory here.
My view on death is a beginning of a new journey rather then the end of one. Linda was truly a one of a kind and today, the day she starts her new journey, my thoughts are both with her and her husband and my friend, Les Bauman.
Sahar
Author Unknown
—————–
Gone from My Sight
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship at my side
spreads her white sails to the morning breeze and
starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty
and strength. I stand and watch her until at length
she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where
the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
“Gone where?”
Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in
mast and hull and spar as she was when she left my side and
she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her
destined port.
Her diminished size is in me, not in her. And just at the
moment when someone at my side says: “There, she is gone!”
there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices
ready to take up the glad shout: “Here she comes!”
Sahar,
I am very sorry to hear of the lost of your dear friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you and Linda’s loved ones.
OUCH! These are really sad news.
Courage Sahar, courage Linda’s family and friends.
We are all so sorry to hear this.
Sorry for the loss of your good friend Sahar. My condolences to you and her family and friends.
Sahar
Judi and I are very sorry for your loss
Sahar…my thoughts are with you, Les and the rest of Linda’s loved ones.
what a wonderful caring friend you are Sahar to have written something so beautiful as a tribute… life is so fragile…
sorry for you loss… she sounds like a gentle soul…
Bless you…
~Patricia Kaehler
—-answer—-
Hi Patricia,
I didn’t write it, Les did, Linda’s husband.
Sahar
Sahar,
Our prayers go out to you and the Bauman family.
Thanks all for the kind words, thoughts, prayers!
Sahar
What an incredible and joyous life Linda lived here with us! My thoughts and prayers are with you, Sahar, and Linda’s family and friends.