Sandra recently wrote this for me from her hospital bed:
“Raised on a small farm in West Fork until the winds blew across her feet in all directions—North, East, South, and West. Although it was only a few miles, it sowed the seeds of all the rest of her life.”
I think those words beautifully describe Sandra. Her life was a journey, and the winds carried her in many directions—but wherever they took her, she continued to learn, to grow, and to care deeply for the people and creatures around her.
Sandra met my dad in the early 1980s, and they fell in love. They shared a very special love, and I will never forget how happy she made my father.
When he retired, they moved to Las Vegas, my dad's dream. Only a few months later, he was diagnosed with cancer. Sandra was still working, but she brought home two little kittens to keep him company while she was away. She took care of my dad through his illness and stayed by his side until his dying breath.
I will always be grateful to her for the love and care she gave my father.
Sandra was one of the smartest women I have ever known. She was hardworking, determined, and, yes, pretty stubborn. She earned her law degree and became an attorney, but even after retiring, she wasn't finished learning. She continued her education, studying photography, geology, english, writing, painting, film, and media. She has a whole wall full of diplomas in her house.
She also had one of the kindest hearts I have ever known.
She was an avid gardener and loved growing her own food. She loved all animals, but especially cats and she cared deeply for animals. She supported animal rescues and shelters both Fayetteville and around Little Rock, and she even kept dog food for the mama raccoons that brought their babies to her porch and corn for the deer in her backyard.
Sandra also had a wonderful sense of humor. She loved sharing funny posts and memes and had a talent for the perfect witty comeback. Social media was one of the ways she stayed connected with the people she loved, even when distance kept them apart.
After my dad passed, Sandra and I remained close, and I will always be grateful for the relationship we shared.
When I picture Sandra, I see her exactly as she so often was: her western hat, her braids or pigtails, her jeans and denim shirt, and her camera in her hand.
That is how I will remember her.
Smart. Determined. Stubborn. Kind. Funny. Curious. And always ready to discover something new.
Sandra's life may have begun on a small farm, but it was anything but small.
She planted seeds wherever she went—in her garden, in the lives of animals she cared for, and most importantly, in the hearts of the people who loved her.
Those seeds will remain with us.
I will miss Sandra more than I can put into words.
But most of all, I will be grateful.
I will be grateful that she is free.
Sandra-
We will remember you.
We will miss you.
And we will love you always.