In the quiet moments since my Teresa went away, I think of the very many happy moments we spent together. There are so many of them.
We were together for 30 years. I spent the first 10 of them working with her. My career would not have been so successful if it wasn’t for Teresa in the background supporting and organizing my work projects, as we worked through our days within the engineering company.
I remember the first day that she came for an interview, the HR department manager came to me and said “you have to meet this person, she would be ideal for you”. I remember the first time I saw Teresa, I remember exactly what she wore, and I remember knowing instantly that we would work well together. She often laughed that I even called her old employer on the last day of her old job to confirm that she would be at work in my office on Monday morning.
Our lives followed separate paths and when I left the engineering company and starting my own business Teresa would call me and ask if she could help in anyway and so, out of the goodness of her heart, she would come to my new office, after work to help with admin, billing, and marketing.
When my wife got cancer she was there, also volunteering to look after my daughters while I went to the hospital to be with my wife. Eventually, I was on my own with two daughters and there was Teresa again helping to ease my stress by helping with Melissa and Kelly, while I worked to keep my business afloat. The years progressed and the bond between Teresa and I grew greater and greater. Something tied us together, with Teresa always supporting everything that I did. Teresa‘s career
moved ahead and she went on to spend 25 very successful years with Cadillac Fairview Real Estate as an Executive Assistant to General Manager. Her efficiency and kindness won her many praises from her work colleagues and bosses.
Our relationship grew stronger and stronger she supporting me and I supporting her.
She was always there for her mom and dad. Nothing was more important than making sure mom and dad were ok. I saw Teresa‘s dedication to her mom and dad shine through on many occasions as she coordinated appointments for doctors, medical and hospital appointments, etc., and always on, Sundays picking up mom and dad and dropping them at church, while we went to our English mass and then picking them up after church to make sure that we all got home safely. Our years together were the most wonderful. We complemented each other. We had the same thoughts and whatever needed planning Teresa would be there, doing all the research, booking all the tickets, and making all the appointments. Coordinating everything in a precise and efficient way that she did everything. I have lost my best friend my partner and the only person who knew the private part of my life, my thoughts, my concerns, and my hopes.
The news on that late November evening that she had stage four cancer was devastating.
At night we would be alone and cuddle together on the sofa to support each other.
She never gave up hope, always had a smile and a positive attitude, and was focused on beating this terrible disease. God was with her all the way and on that final day, she fought bravely and courageously while the angels prepared her passage to
heaven.
She went from me way too soon.
But God spared her many months of pain and suffering and I am thankful to him for that.
I am a private person who doesn’t easily share my thoughts. Teresa was my confident and all I wanted was to travel life's road with her.
I have tried to put my thoughts into “Who was Teresa”.
• She was smart and always took pride in how she looked. Make up, facial, hair and health.
• she was kind and caring and always wanted to help people.
• she was generous with her smiles and support and kept a special relationship with all her personal friends
• she was totally organized and her computer, cell phone, and iPad were always turned on so that she was never out of touch with those special friends and her family.
• she was a special sister, daughter, auntie, and partner.
• And my own special thoughts of her are kept deep within my heart.
In the 30 years that we have been together there are so many memories. Things we’ve done and places we’ve been.
I’ll finish by telling you that I found this note that she left for me on her cell phone.
I opened it yesterday. It reads as follows:
From Teresa.
When I am gone, release me let me go.
I have so many things to see and do
You mustn’t tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
how much you gave to me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have shown,
but now it’s time I travel on alone.
So grieve a while for me, if grieve you must
Then let your grief be comforted by trust.
It’s only for a little while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart.
I won’t be far away, for life goes on,
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can’t see or touch me, I’ll be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you’ll hear
all of my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I’ll greet you with a smile and say
“Welcome Home”.
Teresa, my honey, you know how much I love you and I know that you will become an angel in heaven and won’t be hurting anymore and for that I am grateful. I love you always Teresa, you are the best thing that ever happened to me. Wait for me in heaven.
john
