My world is a little lonelier today

[SFM in KY]

Wanted to post this here, with people who would understand ... lost a good friend a couple of days ago in a car accident. We first met a little more than 20 years ago when I bought my first warmblood mare, a Trakehner, from her. Although she was a 'ranch wife' and raised mostly Quarter Horses she liked the big Thoroughbreds and dabbled in the warmbloods occasionally as well.

She was also an artist, so we had a lot in common. We maintained a close friendship even after I relocated to KY ... never had any difficulty finding something to talk about as it's not too often you find someone with the same background, a horse breeder and an artist all in one person. We had just talked last week ... and laughed ... about our breeding plans for this coming spring, our need to cut back numbers and the fact she was looking at a warmblood mare and I was looking at a pony mare.

She owned a grandson of one of my foundation stallions, a big, mostly TB APHA stallion and was looking forward to his first full foal crop this spring. She was the one close personal contact I still had in MT and I often talked to her when I felt particularly homesick. A painting she did for me years ago, with the mountain view from my deck as the background will always keep the memories fresh.

Devastating loss for her husband and three boys, plus the grandchildren ... and my world is definitely a little lonelier as well.

[Molly Mckee]

I'm so sorry. It'so hard to lose people we love.

The painting is beautiful. She was very talented.

[SFM in KY]

I have never made friends easily. Growing up as an only child on a remote ranch, I always tell people I was 'undersocialized' and I do find it difficult to just chat with people that don't have a western/ranch/horse background. I grew up having to entertain myself and I have never had a problem with being solitary, entertaining myself with my books and my art and socializing with the horses and dogs.

It is rare to find someone I am totally comfortable with, same background, same interests so it definitely makes a major impact on my life when one of those friends is lost. She was so talented and had so many projects she was looking forward to now that her husband had retired.

[Stonybrook]

If you are they type of person that has a smaller circle of friends, the loss of one is very sad and upsetting. I am sorry for your loss and the loss to her family. I hope your memories of her bring you comfort in time. That picture is gorgeous and a reminder of her friendship.

[SFM in KY]

She was incredibly talented, was commissioned to do several murals for a western museum in Calgary and had work accepted at gallery shows at the Horse Park here in KY.

This is a print I have done from one of her originals ... the original was done in colored pencil.

[Otter]

I am so sorry for your loss.

[copperhead46]

It's hard to lose a friend, so sorry,

[lamoncha lover]

I am sorry for your loss. Firends like that are treasures.I hope you can cherish the memories she leaves with you.

[Cashs Cowgirl]

I'm so sorry! What a beautiful picture to remember her by. I lost my best friend and neighbor in late 2011. I miss her terribly.

[birchtreefarm]

Very sorry for the loss of your friend. I do not make friends easily either, so I understand how each one seems that much more precious.

[wr]

SFM, I'm very sorry for your loss but I'm also curious as to what museum in Calgary. I would be inclined to think that she was either commissioned by Glenbow museum or the Western Heritage Centre just west of Calgary. Both would be considered a very big honor.

[GrannieD]

At our age we have thoroughly sifted through aquaintences & have found the " keepers "..So sorry to hear of your loss..You have comfort in the memories & she'll be with you there..God Bless GrannieD

[Teej]

Condolences on the loss of a dear friend.

[LisaInN.Idaho]

I'm very sorry for your loss. ((hugs))

[SFM in KY]

Originally Posted by wr

SFM, I'm very sorry for your loss but I'm also curious as to what museum in Calgary. I would be inclined to think that she was either commissioned by Glenbow museum or the Western Heritage Centre just west of Calgary. Both would be considered a very big honor.

WR, I'm not sure which one (or even if it was Calgary specifically). I do know that it was either a museum that had a major display (or was only about) the chuckwagon racing which was apparently a big thing in that area. Patty was particularly interested in it as her father had been a competitor at one time, still raised horses that were particularly suitable for that and that was where her interest in Thoroughbreds (as opposed to Quarter Horses) began. Her family ranched in the area (some of her siblings still do, I believe) although her parents are now deceased and I know at least one of the murals she did was of a chuckwagon race because I remember her having trouble with the perspective with one of the wagons.

[GrannyCarol]

So sorry to hear about your loss. Her artwork is gorgeous, esp. that colored pencil one. It's hard to lose a good friend.

[2horses]

So sorry about the loss of your friend.

[brody]

i'm so sorry
the hardest part of loving is losing no doubt at all ... sounds like you two had a special thing ... hang in there

[sidepasser]

I am very sorry you lost your friend, it is very hard to imagine losing someone that you had a special relationship with. I am also an only child and not a very well socialized one to boot, I have very few close friends and if I lost one, it would leave a very big hole in my universe.

I know your world is less bright for your loss, I hope that you can find comfort in the works that she left behind. (((hugs))) to you.