For those of you that haven't crossed paths with Linda Bourgault on ActiveRain let me introduce you.
Her husband was Bruce Bourgault who was a great loan officer here on Oahu (Honolulu County) He'd come into our office frequently but we all didn't really get to know him until he started blogging on ActiveRain. Linda took care of him after his operations and treatments and during his last weeks. He did not recover and he passed away in October 25, 2007. Linda wrote:
10.25.2007 Our Most Momentous Day!
In the time he was on ActiveRain, many grew to love him and many felt the sorrow and pain when learning of his death. Since that time, Linda took over to keep his memory alive on ActiveRain and began to create her own memories too. A gift from me to Bruce and our Rainmaker friends... She also moved to the mainland and started to get her life moving again.
And then she came back this past Saturday to visit and Randy Prothero (Realtor® in my office and one of my best friends there)and I went down to meet her this morning for breakfast.
In the short time we spent together today we had breakfast, talked. Talked. Joked and amazingly talked about our childhoods! Now THAT was different. Funny how some memories remain no matter how far back they are. Then onward to Queen Kapiolani Gardens! Yup, we dragged Randy Prothero While writing, I reflecting on our meeting and just now I realized something.
I had told Linda I had saved Bruce's last email to me before he went in the hospital. Linda stayed at a hotel that she and Bruce used to frequent for nights on the town. Randy and I talked about how we got to know Bruce ‘better' through his blogging on ActiveRain and how it makes a difference more so than someone even walking into our office as much as he did.
I realized we all still remember....but life moves along.
Memories and current friendships made through ActiveRain. What a concept.
A Hui Hou (until we meet again) my dear friend Linda!
Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman is a Realtor-Associate® and Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) with Century 21 Liberty Homes in Mililani, Hawaii. With a sharp understanding that a listening ear is the key to a client's needs she serves the island of Oahu (Honolulu County) and all Hawaii Military Relocations, Hawaii Retirees, Hawaii Job Transfers and Hawaii Residents, Home Buyers and Sellers.
© 2007-2012 Celeste "Sally" Cheeseman's Hawaii Real Estate and Relocation Blog.
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Sally, I've read a few of Bruce's posts and especially like one of his last.
http://activerain.com/blogsview/232008/the-mortgage-muse-is-named-a-p-retoro
Hi Sally, I wasn't here as you know, when Bruce was alive, and came to know Linda all on her own. She seems to be so interesting, alive, warm and wonderful. Lucky you to have seen her. Thank you for letting me in on a bit of the history.
Sally, one of my buyer clients that we closed on Friday, used a VA loan. As you know we don't have a lot of VA loans in Michigan. My client found AR by accident. She sent me some posts she felt were helpful, one was by Bruce. His words live on, it was an excellent post on VA loans.
Great visit and beautiful tribute. I love the gardens. I put it on the list of places I want to visit if I ever get there.
Sally - what a beautiful tribute to both Bruce and Linda. I'm so glad you and Randy finally got to meet Linda, as she is an extension of the wonderful work that Bruce did. It's amazing what incredible friendships are made here in the Rain. I, for one, am grateful for all of them.
Pssst - didn't really look like Randy minded going to the garden. Sure beats working!
Thanks for sharing this happy time with us. :)
How nice it must have been to see your friend, and bittersweet too. Life goes on, and we will always fondly remember those that have touched us!
Featured in the group "Whacked!!!"
morning Sally... it's never easy to lose someone, especially those we're close to. On a lighter note, everytime I see posts/pics like this, whenever Rainers get together it always looks like a family reunion or friends from high school catching up. Nice!
Aloha Sally,
What a lovely visit for you all. Read Missy's comment about how she found a client via one of Bruce's posts, interesting isn't it? He's living on in many ways.
BTW, Marlene and I experienced that beautiful garden ourselves a year ago, while hiking back from Diamond Head. Absolutely beautiful!
Linda: He had many a good post with great info ...and from the heart.
Andrea: I love to meet up with old friends again. We did get closer through AR.
Missy: Isn't that amazing? Congratulations...and memories live on in so many ways huh?
Paddy: It's a nice place. Linda went wild taking shots :) :)
Carol: Oh, this wasn't our first meeting. We knew each other and met here before. Then she left for the mainland. Randy had 'fun'. lol.
Thanks Richard. It's meetings like this that remind us of how this networking thing allows us to 'make friends'.
Thanks marti...it sure does feel like 'catching up'. I tell you what ...the meeting was full of fun :)
Lynda: I hadn't been there for YEARS. Of course passed by etc. but it's so different from YEARS ago :) Yes, he's being remembered in so many ways. Pretty cool :)
Sally I remember the Posts that you wrote about Bruce when he passed away. I am glad that you and Randy got to spend some time with his wife and talk about some old memories.
Sally, It sounds and looks like such a wonderful meeting. I do remember Bruce and eating a hot dog for him on a specific date. There are people from AR that are no longer here but I will always remember. I'm glad you had such a gorgeous day!
Sally, you are so fortunate to have gotten to spend time with Linda. The slide show is a cool way to record the event.....enjoyed watching it!
Sally- I am SO looking forward to the day I get to meet you and give you a huge hug:)
AloHA Woo Hoo Sally—It was wonderful visiting with you and Randy while I was in Honolulu. It was such fun eating at Zippy's and exploring the Queen's gardens together. You did a great job capturing the spirit and beauty of the garden... and Randy was a good sport what with all of out teasing AND photo taking. Take care and thank you so much for making our visit a highlight of my trip!