I am not alone when I say I am really struggling with Lonnas passing. I have a few memories I want to share I met Lonna in a mud puddle more than 53 years ago in Great Falls, Montana. She rode her chrome bike into that constant puddle at the bottom of our street so I brought towels to help her dry it off and that was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. I loved going to her house and remember several sleepovers there and they always had great pets. (At the time it was Jock the standard Poodle, Bow the Cocker Spaniel and Bumps the Persian cat.) Her parents were so wonderful to me and I always considered them a part of my extended family. She was such a good kid and even then, a problem solver. She had a personality much like a Chinook in that she loved people, had a big heart and loved a challenge. I remember my 5 year old sister was sent to her room one day and Lonna broke her out through a window not because she wanted to play with her but because the challenge was there. I remember when she moved to Oregon, I cried and mourned for weeks. I gave her a bride’s bible as a going away gift (an odd gift to give a 12 year old) and I was so honored when she carried it in her bouquet when she married Jeff. I moved to Oregon 5 years later. Although we stayed in touch, it was very special to reconnect in person. When we were together, it was like we were never apart. That is just how she was. Lonna had a way of making me, as well as others, feel like I was the most important person in her life when I was with her. Lonna had to be on overload most of the time with all of the things she had to do but she never let it show and would drop everything to spend time with me. Lonna did everything with enthusiasm and excellence. She was a great student and loved to learn, a violinist, an accomplished dog groomer, amazing with horses, the dogs and completion, and all animals in general. She made great choices as seen with her marriage to her very best friend Jeff. She loved Michael, Daniel and Samanta and was an amazing mom as she went to school with them daily to sign for them. These are just a few of her many accomplishments. Our birthdays were 1 week apart. This year I asked my husband to take me down to visit the Colemans as my gift from him. He happily obliged and we had a wonderful day with them. She actually mentioned she still uses the gift I gave them for their wedding. Can you imagine her even remembering that gift after 43 years? They took us to a place that Lonna always liked to go to celebrate her birthday. A simple bench that overlooked the water…it was beautiful! I will always visit that place when I am in the area. When we said goodbye, I hugged her and told her I didn’t want to let her go. Little did I know what the next few weeks would bring? Some words come to mind when I think of her: Happy, at peace, talented, loved a challenge, organized, successful, humble, satisfied thoughtful, friendly, accommodating, patient, problem solver, reliable, a servant to all, never complained, loved the Lord living her life as a witness for Him, and always wanted to do things because it was the right thing to do. I will see her again as she greets me in Heaven but for now I mourn for her. I loved her as sister. Lonna’s favorite quote: Life is either a daring adventure or nothing at all.” ~ Helen Keller
Posted on: Tue, 06 Jan 2015 00:01:10 +0000
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