Once in our lives, if we are lucky, we are blessed to know a person of such spirit, enthusiasm, energy and zest for life as was the very essence of Evelyn. OUR Evelyn—as she belonged truly to every person she met. She was an original. She was unique. She was, well, EVELYN. Each and every encounter with Evelyn, whether you had just met her or had known her for decades, was a reaffirming moment from which we each emerged energized and, most often, smiling. For Evelyn was always smiling. She was happy---happy to be alive, happy to train her dogs, happy to tell you about her kids and grandkids, nieces and nephews, happy to host events, happy doing incredible craft work for her clubs---but most of all, happy to have you as a friend.
She was like the hub of a wheel and all of us radiated out from that center of enthusiasm for everything she did. Most of us here know each other through and because of Evelyn. She amazed us with her stamina: every day of the week was planned and filled with activities for her and her beloved Dobermans—nursing home visits, training classes, tracking practice, Schutzhund, obedience, rally and agility work, glass etching, sewing, shopping for future trophies, lunches, plays, dominoes, and talking on the phone. How frustrating it was to try to get in touch with Evelyn!
Evelyn was all about the dogs. She never went anywhere without hot dog treats in her pocket and every dog knew WHICH pocket. They all loved her and she adored them. And though she loved all dogs, Dobermans owned her heart. She was a co-conspirator so to speak in founding the Pine Tree State Doberman Pinscher Club and has served as its vice-president since its inception in 2002.
She and I traveled for many years throughout the Northeast and Canada to shows and she was a wonderful traveling companion although frequently napping while I endured some harrowing drives and then she would tell everyone what a white-knuckle drive we had! We were in the middle of planning our annual Canada trip in August and that trip will never be the same.. And no matter how far from home we were, she ALWAYS met someone she knew. We were in Syracuse when a stranger asked me where I was from. When I replied, “Maine,” she said, “OH, you must know Evelyn.” So many people assumed that she was my mother and we never disabused them of that belief, for to me, she was. I could count on her; she was always there; we shared incredibly joyous moments and suffered through indescribable sorrow together. Last year, when we suffered another sudden devastating loss, it was Evelyn’s rock-solid, Mainer reality that kept us all sane.
Your loss, my loss is unfathomable. In shock, we are going through the appropriate motions, but in the days to come, THAT’S when we all will recognize the gaping void in our lives. When we start to pick up the phone to tell her about some news; when we need food, trophies, the yard, or other things for an event; when we need comforting, when we need someone to vent to, when we need EVELYN and no one else will do.
So, pay it forward as they say--- take time to really enjoy your dogs, your friends and your pastimes. Help a newcomer to whatever sport you are involved in. Live to your fullest potential. Smile at the next stranger you meet and make him a friend. Tell him Evelyn sent you!
This was sent to me by a woman who spent one day with Evelyn and told me she feels blessed to have met her; that her life is richer for it.
If tomorrow starts without me,
And I'm not there to see,
If the sun should rise and find your eyes
All filled with tears for me;
I wish so much you wouldn't cry
The way you did today,
While thinking of the many things,
We didn't get to say.
I know how much you love me,
As much as I love you,
And each time that you think of me,
I know you'll miss me too;
But when tomorrow starts without me,
Please try to understand,
That an angel came and called my name,
And took me by the hand,
And said my place was ready,
In heaven far above,
And that I'd have to leave behind
All those I dearly love.
But as I turned to walk away,
A tear fell from my eye,
For all my life, I'd always thought,
I didn't want to die.
I had so much to live for,
So much left yet to do,
It seemed almost impossible,
That I was leaving you.
I thought of all the yesterdays,
The good ones and the bad,
I thought of all that we shared,
And all the fun we had.
If I could relive yesterday,
Just even for a while,
I'd say good-bye and kiss you
And maybe see you smile.
But then I fully realized,
That this could never be,
For emptiness and memories,
Would take the place of me.
And when I thought of worldly things,
I might miss some tomorrow,
I thought of you, and when I did,
My heart was filled with sorrow.
But when I walked through heaven's gates,
I felt so much at home.
When God looked down and smiled at me,
From His great golden throne,
He said, "This is eternity,
And all I've promised you."
Today your life on earth is past,
But here life starts anew.
I promise no tomorrow,
But today will always last,
And since each day is just the same,
There's no longing for the past.
So when tomorrow starts without me,
Don't think we're far apart,
For every time you think of me,
I'm right here, in your heart "
author unknown
![Lovely "Lady"
adopted from DRU and loved unconditionally by Dan and Pam Brackett](http://content.breederoo.com/users/PineTreeStateDobermanPinscherC/images/photos/gallery/1876183.jpg?0 "Lovely "Lady"
adopted from DRU and loved unconditionally by Dan and Pam Brackett")