I'll Miss You Nan

October 24, 2008

I'll Miss You Nan

Yesterday Annie and I found out that one of our dear friends had passed away. Nan was part of the family that welcomed Annie to America 20 years ago, and who welcomed me, too, when Annie and I fell in love over a decade ago.

Nan, along with her family and friends, learned that she was ill just after Labor Day. I now sit in disbelief with the knowledge of how quickly cancer can take a life. A wonderful, active, beautiful, creative, and loving life.

It all happened so quickly. Yesterday, as I was embarking on a late afternoon hike in Muir Woods, Annie called to tell me Nan's health had taken an unexpected turn for the worse. I did my best to comfort Annie - and we resolved that we would make a visit after our obligations over the weekend were met.

And while I walked amongst the giant trees, I found myself lost in the thought of Nan and the warm memories of spending time with her and her family. We once took a camping trip with them to Big Basin, which is a large stand of redwoods near Santa Cruz. Muir's big trees were reminding me of that trip - of the music we played around camp, the great food we made, and how the trunks of these living giants were lit up by campfire and scented with wood smoke in the evening.

I find great comfort in Nature. For me, Nature provides a safe, grounded place to work through life's challenges, and yesterday I was trying to make peace with the notion that time with Nan might be coming to an end soon. I took the shot above during that hike - in a beautiful valley named Fern Creek, which was cast in a purplish light near the forest floor, and bathed in Northern California October sunshine near the canopy. So beautiful. When I returned home, Annie told me that Nan had passed away while I was gone. I was (and still am) shocked and saddened.

Here is Nan - such a beauty - with her husband at one of the many celebrations our families have enjoyed together. Nan loved life. She knew great love. She played a mean mandolin. Made a great pot of chili. Laughed out loud. Cherished her family. Warmly welcomed friends. I'm so grateful to know such wonderful people.

I loved many things about Nan that will live on - when I am walking through the redwoods, listening to bluegrass music, or visiting with her family in the days, months, and years to come. I will really, really miss her.

Oct 24, 2008 12:18:35 PM

15 Comments

Jennifer and I learned about this lastnight, and we are both deeply saddened by this news.

Nan and Nick were always so sweet and welcoming to us, and the warmth and love of the entire Maysonnave clan was always so nice to be around.

Our thoughts and prayers are with you.

Bill Freed & Jennifer Hughes

Posted by: Bill Freed | October 30, 2008 at 10:37 AM

Dee Dee,
That is so beautiful. Your sister seems like she was an incredible person. Our thoughts go out to you and your family at this time. I know this is so hard for you, and we want you to know that our family is here for you. Always!!!
Lots of love,
The Cubbon Family

Posted by: Suzanne Cubbon | October 30, 2008 at 09:50 AM

Thank you for your lovely tribute to Nan and the beautiful photos. Anyone who knew her for years, or for minutes, knew the same Nan. Her warmth and kindness was an example, and I am sure her compassion for others was ultimately the source of her strength. My thoughts and prayers to Nick and the family who loved her so. Carol Hatton, Monterey

Posted by: Carol Hattom | October 29, 2008 at 04:25 PM

I'm sorry for your loss.

Posted by: b.a. | October 29, 2008 at 03:42 PM

Thank you for beautiful words and sentiments. It seems that Nan has always showed up in my life at the most unexpected moments and always brought joy with her. I met her when my daughter, Madeline, and her niece, Aimee were toddlers in nursery school. Then she and Nick were one of my first landscape design clients for their home, and then later for the home of their aunt. Then, so suddenly, my daughter was grown. On the day of her wedding (in our garden) Nan and Nick appeared to play music for the wedding with their friends in Heartstrings! What a wonderful surprise. A year or so passed, and I began to teach a semester class in Landscape Design at the community college. When Camille and Nan showed up to take the class I was honored by their interest and delighted that I would see them both for the next 16 weeks. Thank you, Nan, for being like a golden thread weaving through my life and bringing light.

Posted by: Helene Daniels | October 28, 2008 at 11:35 AM

Sorry to hear this sad news.

Posted by: John | October 28, 2008 at 09:46 AM

Sorry to hear this sad news.

Posted by: John | October 28, 2008 at 09:45 AM

Nan is one awesome person. My thoughts and prayers go to Nick, Nan's equally awesome husband. Also: DeeDee, Nick, and the kids that Nan Loves so much. Fran of course. Camille and hers. I feel lucky to have known her. I'll remember her at Strawberry...

Posted by: Aaron Hall | October 28, 2008 at 07:11 AM

oh dear, so sorry to hear about this you two. good thoughts for you both. xxx.

Posted by: jenifer | October 28, 2008 at 07:08 AM

We share Desiree, Nick and family as friends as well. What a beatiful tribute. Nan was someone who even when you didn't see frequently or know to the fullest she had a smile, warmth, genuine love and interest in you. I can simply strive to be a woman like her and like all the women in her family. My heart aches for the loss of such a special person and breaks for my dear friend DeeDee. Little does DeeDee realize at this moment of sadness that there are so many of Nan's exceptional qualities living on through her and her girls and as such Nan is not lost.

Posted by: Heidi & Gus | October 27, 2008 at 04:33 PM