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August 04, 2005
farewell nan
When I first moved to Seattle ten years ago, I only knew one person, my friend Bunny who moved out here with me.
I started school at the Art Institute and had the complete luck of having two of the coolest teachers in the whole world, Sigrid and Nan. They were my teachers, my friends, my away from home moms and my cool aunts, all at once. They cared about me and listened to my joys and my heart breaks and when I met Grumpy and told Nan about him and how I was concerned about dating someone four years younger, she told me that her boyfriend (now husband) was four years younger than her. "Big fucking deal", she would say in her deep, ashy voice. I can hear her laugh even now.
Sigrid and Nan included me in their outings, their conversations, their jokes, and I had the privilege of spending two hysterically fun years in their company before I graduated and went out into the world.
After graduation I missed them immensely but knew they would have a new crop of students and a new Bugg would take my place.
Three years ago Sigrid called me out of the blue and asked me to come to speak to one of her classes about working as a graphic designer. I was so excited to go visit and Nan made sure she was there to see me, now a grown up with a real job, a husband (who is four years younger -big fucking deal), and with a baby on the way.
And I went back again and again and again to talk to Sigrid's classes but mostly to see Nan and Sigrid. I haven't been back since last year but I think about them still.
This morning Sigrid sent me an email. At first I was really happy to see her name but the email said that Nan had gotten very sick with cancer several months ago and on Sunday she lost her battle.
I never imagined a light so bright and a personality so big and wonderful and loving could ever cease to be. Nan, I know the sun shines so brightly because of you. I will never forget you.
Big fucking deal.
Posted by bugg at August 4, 2005 03:15 PM
Comments
So sorry to hear about your friend.. Call me soon.. Chas
Posted by: chastity Edlefson at August 4, 2005 08:02 PM
Oh Bugg, that was a beautiful tribute. What awesome memories. Its always the best ones who are taken from us. I'm so sorry love.
Posted by: ms bees knees at August 5, 2005 08:51 AM
Chas - Thanks. I still can't believe it. I'll call you this weekend.
Bees - Thanks. You are so right. I am so thankful to have known her at all. Since I'll never forget her, she will live forever, like everyone else we have lost.
Posted by: bugg at August 5, 2005 09:00 AM