January 12, 2005
Teresita...
It has taken me two days to come up with words for this post, but I still don't feel like I have any.
I met Dan & Teresita Dabrieo in 2000 when I was living and working in Washington DC. I was nearing the end of my projects & planned stay in DC and from the moment we met, I knew she would always be someone special in my life. She was kind, exuberant, and most of all, we just "clicked." I extended my stay for a couple more weeks, staying at their home & spending almost every waking hour talking, laughing, and crying with Teresita. I recall staying up into the wee hours, curled up on her couch with one or both of her dogs and gabbing the night away. When it was time for me to go back to L.A., I knew that I had made a friend for life.
It was Teresita's friendship & love which helped me get through some of the darkest days; without her, I would undoubtedly not be in the place that I am in today. Even though we could go many months without talking, we always seemed to pick up as if only a couple of days had passed. I'm lucky that I am able to consider her one of my closest friends in the world.
A few years ago, I was shocked with the news that Teresita had suffered a severe stroke. However, with Teresita's indominable spirit, she recovered from the stroke at a miraculous speed. I don't remember all the details of her medical history, but I do know that after sometime that, her doctors discovered that she had some heart problems. Of course, Teresita bounced back and was the "Miracle Patient." Despite these obstacles, Teresita was always positive and amazing.
On Monday afternoon, after the morning of car hell, I looked at my phone (which I'd left at home all morning) and saw that I had a missed call from the morning. It was from the Dan's cell phone and I thought it was strange that Dan was calling me and not Teresita. When called him back and heard his voice, I felt a horrible sinking feeling in my chest.
Teresita had gone into the hospital for a planned surgery in late December and went through a series of ups & downs. On Monday morning, Teresita went into cardiac arrest and passed away.
I was so touched that Dan thought to call me and let me know. With everything else he was going through and handling that morning, I am so grateful that Dan knew that I would appreciate knowing, even if it was the worst possible news I could've heard.
Two days later, I am still in shock. I spoke to Teresita about a month ago and we talked about our plans for the future and how excited we were about things that were going on in our lives. I am honored that I ever had the great fortune to learn from this great woman. I cherish all our shared times together & all our phone conversations & all the laughs we shared.
I posted one of the only photographs of the two of us together, taken sometime in early 2003. If you look carefully at Teresita's shirt, you can see a food stain on her shirt. We are definitely kindred spirits in more ways than one.
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Comments
I just found out someone near to me passed away recently as well. I know what you're going through. *hugs*
Posted by: jaded at January 13, 2005 01:34 AMSorry for your lost.She must of been a wonderful person.My heart goes out to you.
Posted by: Philly Jay at January 13, 2005 02:59 AMYou have my sympathies, jozy. I'm so sorry about your loss.
Posted by: Deltus at January 13, 2005 06:20 AMYou have my deepest sympathies. I'm sincerely sorry to hear about such a loss.
Posted by: Chris at January 13, 2005 07:18 AMThat's horrible. I'm very sorry for your loss.
Posted by: The Zero Boss at January 13, 2005 07:46 AMOh, Joz! Hug for you... ((((((((((Joz)))))))
Posted by: Nanette at January 13, 2005 08:34 AMI'm sorry for your loss. She must have been a truly wonderful person to have touched you in such a deep way. You are blessed to have known her and she will always be alive in your heart and the memories of the time you shared together.
I am so very sorry for your loss. She sounds like she was a very special person.
Posted by: Jules at January 13, 2005 09:12 AMPeople come in and out of our lives for one reason or another--it sounds like your friend left something special for you to share to everyone. No matter what happens to us physically, there's always a connection that touches us, whether that's memories, pictures, or something else. She'll always be alive in your heart, and she'll never truly go away.
Posted by: stkyrice at January 13, 2005 09:49 AMlosing friends sucks. loss sucks. sorry you have to go thru it right now, and happy that you made such a great & rare friend.
Posted by: ed adkins at January 13, 2005 10:44 AMI'm terribly sorry for your loss.. it's always difficult losing a friend, even (and perhaps especially) when they live far away. My deepest sympathies to you and her family and friends.
Posted by: Shylah at January 13, 2005 01:17 PMI just wish I could say something to help you get over your loss. She sounds like a great lady, and I'm sorry she's gone from your life.
Hi Joz
Just popped in to check up on you and I am so sorry about your friend.. I am sure she is watching over you today
Hugs from Montreal
I'm sure that writing this was a little helpful in dealing with the pain of your loss. Sadly, the good ones do seem to die young. I can tell you that it will take a while to get through this, so my thoughts are with you.
Posted by: Becky at January 13, 2005 06:28 PMhey joz...my condlences for your loss. i know i owe you a phone call...i'll get in touch with you very soon.
*big hug*
Posted by: ej at January 13, 2005 08:59 PMI am so sorry to hear of your loss. :( ((((hugs)))))
Posted by: Lisa at January 14, 2005 01:06 AMI'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. Talk about your bad days. Hugs.
-H
Posted by: Hed at January 14, 2005 11:58 PMI am so sorry to hear of your loss, sweets... I am but only a phone call away.
Posted by: Gingersmack at January 15, 2005 10:32 PMI'm sorry that you lost your friend, jozjozjoz.
**HUGS**
Posted by: Rockchild at January 16, 2005 12:29 AMI'm very sorry, joz. you have my condolences. I read your post a few days ago, and thought I take some time before leaving a note. still now, I feel sad. you are in my thoughts, even in this ethereal blogworld.
Posted by: joe at January 16, 2005 06:59 AMI'm so sorry. It seems very unfair that these tragedies should happen to such wonderful people. I will be thinking of you as you mourn this loss.
Posted by: Margaret at January 16, 2005 10:52 AMHi, I was searching on the Internet for Teresita's name and saw your tribute.
I just wanted you to know, that I also had the great good luck of meeting Teresita a few years ago, and always thought she was one of the most amazing people I'd ever met! She made every conversation a treasure. She was interested in everything, passionate, smart, optimistic (to say the least) and so very thoughtful. I remember many of the things she said through the years.
The last I spoke to her a year or so back, she was planning to move to Las Vegas, and I didn't know she had fallen ill. I got an email forwarded to me by my room mate from Dan, just a few days ago.
Teresita was one of those people who did not believe in limitations. She faced obstacles every day, and that made her passionate for truth, freedom, success, and miracles. As she learned about those things, she always shared them with everyone around her. She was always sharing her natural high, and I appreciate that from her so much!
Where ever she is, I say, "Go Girl!"
Posted by: Tansy Garden at February 15, 2005 01:08 PM
She sounds like a remarkable woman and friend. I'm sorry for your loss, Joz. *hugs*
Posted by: fashmagslag at January 13, 2005 12:57 AM