It was a blessing to me that I got to know this petite bright witty and interesting woman.She gave me a lot of really good advice which to this day I still cherish and heed.Whilst visiting with me in Australia we shared quite a few laughs and got to know each other very well.She loved Crochet Lace Doilies and Tapestries and this was something we both appreciated and had in common.She had very fine taste.She was a very well groomed lady.I accused her of 'eating like a sparrow' and her eyes widened with amazement when she saw my big plate of food,it in fact it amused her to watch 'us' Australians and our healthy appetites.
She stayed with me at my apartment (we call them 'flats') at Appin New South Wales and she was an agreeable guest who was courteous to everyone that she meet in my little village.
Later we stayed at a city motel together and she shared her wisdom with me by expressing her views on many things and by leaving me with good memories of those private conversations that still even today inspire me to 'try a little harder 'and 'aim a little higher' and to expect a 'little more from life' because (to quote her):'you deserve it.'
She told me that 'you never get the best if you don't expect it for yourself.'No one had ever told me that before,she made me believe that I could reach a little higher than I ever thought I could...that was a really good thing for her to teach me... and Dear Elaine,I know you are up there with the angels looking down on us and I want to thank you for the friendship we shared when you came to Australia.In my whole life I have never meet anyone like Elaine,it would be true to say she was a lady who knew her mind and she did things her own way,she said what she thought and expected the very best and no less.
She coyly admitted to me that when staying at motels/or hotels she would 'usually change rooms once twice or three times' until she got a room she was happy with,well...after the third change of room in a classy Sydney hotel (with me)I,who am a fairly shy person, had to speak up and say 'Elaine,sorry but I'm not changing rooms again'... she looked at me (a little shocked)and said 'Kay you are the most patient person I've ever meet,'(ha ha ha)and she ashamedly agreed to accept that final (and perfectly acceptable) room without one more word of complaint.It (room changing)was a bit of game to her really and part of that game was her aim 'to get the very best.'
I have to giggle to myself when I think of that night,one thing anyone will tell you about Elaine is 'she was never boring.'I am the mother of her youngest granddaughter Alexandra and she told me she 'liked me.'I liked her too,I really did.
I treasure the time that I spent with Elaine,it was not long but it was unforgettable.Unfortunately due to distance and circumstances related to her ill health contact in the last couple of years has sadly been rare but I think of Elaine fondly and I always will.Elaine,I am imagining you up in the 'five star' section of heaven,I imagine you in one of the very best rooms and I know if it's not one of the very best,you will make sure they move you to one that is,this thought leaves me with a smile.You told me that you do not like saying 'goodbye',you instead always said 'au revoir' and so I won't say 'goodbye' to you,I will follow your lead and just say 'au revoir Elaine' God bless you and may you rest in peace.