Freda came to the end of her earthly life this week, and with that, the second of five sisters is gone in two months. A rather startling thought when we’ve been so used to the idea that the five sisters were living, not next door to each other, but in regular connection and in so many pictures together.

Freda’s painting hangs in my office, from a photo I sent her of The Three Sisters, and my Mom has several of her pictures. She was a very talented lady – a very gifted artist. Unfortunately in these last days, she was unable to paint and what a tragedy was that. Freda was a gentle, gracious lady whose laugh, like all the Eastland sisters, made you laugh because she was laughing. She gave much to her family, especially her children.

Freda had two children, Harold and Belinda. Belinda and I were at supper together just last week when I was in Toronto. Harold lives in the USA He’s featured here in this publication, Unbridled.

Have I told you how lovely my cousin Belinda is? Smart, attractive, gracious, personable…and more. She is an interesting mix of her parents and a tribute to them both.

So we are saddened again with the news of Freda’s passing – grief is always hard but when it is compounded in a short time, it is more difficult. And I suppose it is a reminder again that we are all facing our end though we rarely think about it. No, we must remember that of dust we came and to dust we will return and we must prepare our heats, minds and souls for this reality.