She had a fine, intuitive perception of human beings. She reached out to  me when I needed her most, and her intelligent insights helped me to see.......

I was newly diagnosed with cancer myself. My oncologist had told me that the treatments I would be receiving would make all my hair fall out by the thirteenth day after the first treatment. She suggested I go to a "Look Good, Feel Better" workshop. Reluctantly, I went, and I sat by myself, with a huge knot in my stomach, as I looked about and felt alone. Fortunately, Cheryl was there, among many women who were at different stages of treatment. I had not started mine, and I was deeply frightened. I saw many women around me with bald heads, and I fought back the tears throughout the entire session. I did not know that Cheryl was aware of me, but at the end of the workshop, a little note appeared in front of me: "Call me... Cheryl" and it had her phone number scribbled underneath. I was overjoyed by the knowledge that someone had reached out TO ME....and I could not wait to call her. We met for lunch: she was wonderful, smart, and as humourous as anyone I had ever met, and yet, she was suffering....that was clear. She told me that she had never really looked at suffering before, and that "many people suffer and have suffered" and she had not been really aware of it..."Perhaps it's time I looked at that," she said. She had a good perspective, and I was glad to spend time with her, as she could find humour in the most painful and devastating experiences, and when we talked on the phone, which was often during that first year, she would have me laughing to tears every time, over the most bizarre circumstances.

These are some of the things that I recall about Cheryl:

-her love of her cats; she told me they were her children, and it was for    them that she needed to stay;

-her big wooden bowl full of fruit, especially cherries, when they were in season;

-her closets full of dresses that she had sewn herself, during her days in the farmhouse;

-her ferns on stones, that had meaning for her all their own;

-her stories about her life in the commune;

-her stories about her life at university, and her writing, and her intense life there;

-her knowledge of medical science and psychology (she analyzed many of my dreams, and accurately too!);

-her generousity...I have hats that she gave me, art that she made....she had little money, but would insist on paying for lunches and teas....;

-her grace and dignity under the worst of pain, fears and pressures;

-her beautiful face, even with all her sadness, her eyes shone and her smile was sincere.....

BUT, it was her voice that I will remember most--so clear, so easy to listen to, so much to tell.....

May Cheryl find solace and happiness in the next world.....

I wish I could see you one more time Cheryl; I wish I could hug you one more time....

Please be at peace.

Love, Nadine.