goodbye, my friend

“Man’s feelings are always purest and most glowing in the hour of meeting and of farewell.” - Jean Paul Richter

i know that like me, you have made friends with some people on this site. like me, you probably have been blessed to have met some of them. others, even though you haven't met them yet, there is a connection, a trust, admiration and caring. we may not say it in so many words or often but the friendship nonetheless is still precious. henri russel was one of my earlier friends on 365. she's always been very supportive and always encouraging.

tonight, i learned from lou ann's post the news that henri passed away ten days ago, as she lost her long battle with cancer. it is never easy when you lose a friend, especially one like henri. have you seen her old photographs that she's posted in her album? i had told her quite a few times that i see "elizabeth taylor" when i look at her self portraits, and she did. like elizabeth taylor, henri was an elegant woman, in looks and in style. boy, i could imagine her turning men's heads when she was younger.

tonight, i wanted to pay tribute to her, but i don't have yellow roses which she so loved, being from texas, but she had always admired my blings which i never use because they fit more a personality like henri who possessed an innate elegance. like this brooch. last week at our church's Christmas candle light service, i actually took out this antique brooch intending to wear it. believe it or not, henri came to mind, but i took it off because i looked gauche with it. i couldn't pull a henri, even if i tried. when i came back, as i always write a Christmas greeting on all my followers' album, i wrote on henri's first. little did i know.

my one consolation is that a few months back, i left a comment on henri's album to tell her i missed her, and she wrote back to thank me. i'm so glad i did that.

RIP, my friend.

here's linda ronstadt: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aBHcUv_42zI

[☠northy]

I remember her... I am so sorry to hear of her passing. This is a beautiful tribute.

[Lou Ann]

Vikki this is so lovely. Thank you for your beautiful tribute to dear Henri. Every word you said about her is true. ❤️

[Wendy]

A beautiful tribute to Henri, Vikki. Thank you for putting into words emotions many of us are feeling at the moment.

[Dixie Goode]

This is heartbreaking and yet affirming of this place as a place where we make genuine friendships. Henri pops up often in my favorites. I will miss her.

[Taffy]

A lovely and moving tribute. Very sad to read.

[bruni]

Henry will be missed dearly. I had a feeling it had to do with her illness when she took some time off. so sad. like you said, she was an elegant lady and will be missed dearly. may she RIP.

[Elizabeth]

What a wonderful tribute to a friend! And a lovely blingy shot!

[Diana]

What wonderful words and tribute for Henri. I feel heartbroken when I read this, as I too had a special bond with Henri. She sent me some cards that she had made with the photos of my roses. She will be sorely missed, may she now RIP.

[CristinaL]

What a special tribute. Lovely shot and perfect for your friend. I am sorry for your loss.

[Kathy A]

Beautiful photo, beautiful words

[CC Folk]

This is a wonderful tribute to Henri. I am saddened to hear she lost her battle to cancer. Henri was one I followed and wondered why I had not seen her photos in the last few months. She will be dearly missed...her presence here, her smile and her beautiful soul.

[Junko Y]

What a beautiful tribute in words and in song and in photograph. And what a loss for our community. Henri was always a cheerful contributor and supporter, and I will miss her.

[carol white]

A beautiful tribute to Henri.We shall all miss her here on 365.

[Monique]

What a beautiful tribute you’ve made 😘

[Merrelyn]

What a lovely tribute Vikki.

[gloria jones]

Such a lovely and loving tribute...I'm sorry for her passing.

[Kathy]

What a story and amazing foreshadowing of this event. Yes, 365 friends can become friends, even if we never meet. Sorry for your loss of this friend. May you find peace and comfort in the days to come.

[JackieR]

Thank you for letting us know Vikki, Henri always gave lovely critiques and did fantastic, inspirational selfies. A wonderful tribute to her

[Hope D Jennings]

This is lovely , Vikki. I am sorry you lost a friend.

[Chris Johnson]

I remember Henri and so sorry to hear this news. She was always so thoughtful and kind in her expressions when we chatted here and there. I'm sorry for the loss of your good friend. Very touching tribute.

[Sally Ings]

A beautiful tribute to Henri. She will be fondly remembered.

[4rky]

Very sad to hear. This is a lovely tribute to Henri who was kind and generous in her support of others and whose warmth, humour and creativity shone through in her photos.

[Ann H. LeFevre]

I missed Lou Ann's original post and just received an email from her telling me of Henri's passing and your beautiful tribute. Your words are so true and the proof is in all the comments below. I don't know if Henri realized how much she impacted us here on 365 but so many of say the same things about her- she will definitely be missed here but never forgotten.

[katy]

I just saw this because of the songtitle challenge and am saddened to hear about Henri. Like you , l had been wondering about her but, unlike you, l didn't reach out to her which I now deeply regret.
Your photo is awesome and it does look so much like something Henri would wear! You wrote a beautiful memorial to her as well.

[Brigette]

Lovely tribute Vicki. A lovely gesture to check in with her that I’m sure gave her comfort during her final time...