“Socks” Eulogy
Socks.
There’s that saying about the generous person — the one who gives the shirt off his back.
Socks.
Are you wearing socks today? When I wear them, I put the left on with trust. With the right one, I also put on faith. This means I walk in trust and faith. Now, you may not be wearing socks today, but I ask that you walk with me, and share those thoughts. Let’s trust that L’s lovely spirit is here with us as we celebrate her. Let’s have faith that we’ll join her in that as-yet-unknowable-to-us place of essence.
Socks.
L gave my teenaged daughter a job at her business. Thank you, L.
L gave me moisturizers, sunscreens, Clairsonic brushes. Thank you, L.
L gave me sustenance (with the help of R, her cook). Thank you, L. And R.
L gave me many good memories filled with love and laughter. Thank you, L.
L gave me her undivided attention when I needed it most. A kiss for you, L.
L gave you a lot of nice things, too. Thank you from all of us, L.
Socks.
My friend L — and soul sister — enjoyed going for walks. We’d take her beagle Z and R with us in our immediate neighborhood, along the canal, through the Biltmore. Once, after coming from a meeting, I arrived at her house for a walk date with athletic shoes to change into — but no socks. L gave me the socks off her feet. I was so touched by her willingness to share that I kept them.
From the top of her pretty blonde head, to the soles of her sweet, tiny feet, L radiated tremendous love energy she felt for others — especially her beloved R, and her unconditionally- beloved Z, and all the Zs before Z. Her friends were beneficiaries of her desire for us all to have the best, to look our best, and to be the best people we could be. The greatest gift she gave was that she made all of us feel like family — the good kind of family — the family you choose.
My heart is filled with gratitude for knowing her. She was thankful for all of you, and the roles you played in her life. I think she’d like this simple invocation: Thank you for giving me good work to do. Thank you for showing me how to do it. Thank you for giving me good people to love. Thank you for showing me how to love them. Thank you for giving me a good life to live. Thank you for showing me how to lead it.
Socks.
When I learned of her sudden passing…yes…it knocked my socks off.
L, my love, my sister — I need to borrow some again.
