Lucy, Lucy, Lucy, where are you? I miss you so much! My heart aches to see your long velvet ears and your marvelous nose. My heart would lift whenever I would see you. How I miss your face.
I loved that tail wagging greeting that was always accompanied with that signature zigzag body dance. I'll not forget the softness of your kisses when I reached for you. And you were always so glad to see me. You were a steadfast presence in my busy stressful life. You were my friend.
Sadly, last week I learned of your peaceful passing in the arms of your loving companion and best friend. This has left me reeling as I reflect on your remarkable life journey and how fortunate I was to have known you.
Lucy, I honour the impact you had on the therapeutic community here in Prince George. You spent most of your working life at Baldy Hughes walking along ide thousands of men from all over the province of British Columbia who were fighting hard to find a new way of life, free of addiction. For more than a decade, you were like a tonic as you wandered the halls of the facility, checking in and out of offices, faithfully attending group therapy sessions and Twelve Step meetings. Everyone loved you.
Although sometimes you could be a bit of diva, you had the right to bark demands. You were an alpha leader that worked hard everyday, taking long walks through grief and mending broken hearts. It was moving how you always knew when someone needed extra special care and would nuzzle up close. That physical contact was medicine in action that created a bond and safe space, even if it was just for a short while. Your loving devotion made it okay to cry and to somehow cope with the terrible pain and loss in this life that can too often leave us so broken and lost. Day in and day out you built a foundation of trust that helped pave the road to acceptance and recovery for so many. Lucy, thank you for sharing your gifts of hope and joy so freely.
It is no surprise that in retirement you kept going and helped hundreds of women move forward with their lives at Celynn House, a Community Release Facility for women in Northern British Columbia. You were a trusted companion to many of the residents who worked towards developing healthy relationships and life skills, and a healing presence in a program that supported mental, emotional and spiritual health. Those connections will have a lasting impact.
You were also a much loved regular at Studio 2880 and will be deeply missed. Everywhere you went you had a way of bringing the very best out in everyone; you were a bright light in a sometimes dark and selfish world. You remind me to be part of the solution, not the problem, and that investing in others with kindness, compassion and understanding is what gives life meaning.
Thank you, Lucy, for all you gave. RIP.
