I woke up this morning thinking of Barbara and missing her. Barbara was a dear friend and a loving member of our Springbank family. She came on sabbatical in 2012 and loved the program! While she was on sabbatical, Barbara exhibited many qualities that were needed at Springbank. She excelled in the creative arts, loved gardening and was a great organizer.

Barbara was a sports enthusiast especially for golf and football. When she was inquiring about the sabbatical program she asked if there was a golf course nearby. Never had any sabbatical participant made this request! We invited her back to be for the following sabbatical program. From then on, Barbara has been on staff with us each spring and fall. Barbara had a great sense of humor and a special tenderness for the dogs on the property. Her nickname for Jake, our little Lhasa Apso, was ‘Sweet Potato Pie’. Barbara loved to canoe in our beautiful swamp sanctuary and kayak on Lake Alamoosook in Maine! Her love for gardening was evidenced in the variety of greens she lovingly tended for our enjoyment and daily nutrition…leafy green lettuce, butter-crunch, romaine, parsley, cilantro, spinach, tasty peppers, basil, green onions, radishes and rosemary.

Barbara loved her Italian roots and savored all ‘things’ Italian! Her ancestry went back to Sardinia, Italy. Barbara and I were known for being the last ones at the table, savoring the meal and being good company for each other. People took bets on who was going to be the last to finish! Barbara, I miss your quiet loving presence and companionship at Springbank. Barbara Fava OP was with us at Springbank for several years. However, she left us too soon! Today we look back with gratitude for her Springbank journey.

Barbara taught us many things. She always seemed to know what needed to be done – whether it was preparing the bag for Spirit Quest, Sunday Liturgy, the extension of hospitality to a guest. Barbara was someone who understood deeply the meaning of hospitality. I used to call her the Meister Eckhart of Springbank. She always seemed to know whatever needed to be done.

Barbara was a friend of Springbank. A fan of sport, Barbara loved golf and football. The last time she called me was when the San Francisco 49ers had just won a game. She was a wonderful friend to all of us. Barbara was a woman of integrity and purpose. May Barbara continue to guide us into the future as we are always ready to respond to whatever needs to be done.

Barbara Fava OP was with us at Springbank for several years. However, she left us too soon! Today we look back with gratitude for her Springbank journey. 

Barbara taught us many things. She always seemed to know what needed to be done – whether it was preparing the bag for Spirit Quest, Sunday Liturgy, the extension of hospitality to a guest. Barbara was someone who understood deeply the meaning of hospitality. I used to call her the Meister Eckhart of Springbank. She always seemed to know whatever needed to be done. 

Barbara was a friend of Springbank. A fan of sport, Barbara loved golf and football. The last time she called me was when the San Francisco 49ers had just won a game. She was a wonderful friend to all of us. Barbara was a woman of integrity and purpose. 

May Barbara continue to guide us into the future as we are always ready to respond to whatever needs to be done.

If Barb were sitting right next to me today, here’s what I’d say:

Barb I want you to know I am so grateful for our times together at Springbank. Thank you for being such a wonderful  friend, teacher and mentor. For loving Bennie, showing me the ropes at Springbank as a fellow staffer, all the way
from following the steps of Liturgy, setting up the dishwashing teams to where and how to place your favorite plants in the garden. But more than anything to share your love and joy of teeing off and  making the perfect putt out there on the field was awesome!!

Thank you, thank you for the privilege of sharing part of this journey together. I look forward to seeing your smiling face on every Gerber Daisy I meet.  Peace and love.

Hands of Barbara

Gentle, touch with Creation
Always watchful care
Lovingness abound
Growing her soul tenderly 
Amidst Mother Earth

SHALL MISS YOU SO

She comes in smiling, her garden gloves still on
Bearing gifts for our common table, food to nourish and help us bond
Fresh lettuce, precious spinach, some parsley and green pepper!
Todays harvest she says, just couldn’t be any better

I don’t dance, it’s not my thing, she states,
opening her arms to welcome the music as on the spirit she awaits.
swaying back and forth with a green silk cloth resting tentatively in her hands.
I watch lovingly as she falls into the rhythm, becomes one with the land.
It’s not far, truly, it’s not far to another’s heart.
All we really need to do is simply start!

I met her for the first time, bent over in her garden and knew immediately that this grounded, simple happy woman had something to teach me. Barbara, your earthy wisdom, simple direct and always positive outlook on life drew me to you like a moth to a light. Your deep sense of service and desire to please, lift up and make life a little easier for everyone who came in contact with you were lessons for us all. From you I learned about patient waiting, adapting to change, letting go of shoulds and buts. Trusting time to heal and make whole. You and I shared a secret, one I shall cherish forever. It was never about the lettuce, or the parsley was it dear friend? It was always about LOVE!

One life’s journey
on earth well done
ripple effects carry
far beyond the sun

The cosmos welcomes
this one’s return
having shared so much
of what she learned

Freely giving
of all she received
she helped many blind eyes
finally see the sacredness of all that is
with this “one wild and precious life?” well lived

Quote from Mary Oliver’s poem , “The Summer Day”