One day, after Tina shared that she was ill, she asked if I could update the (in)famous picture I took wearing a coconut bra and grass skirt for St. Patrick's Day, 2014.
Tina wondered if I could add a real coconut with a straw sticking out of it?
Being a typical male, I kept saying I'd, "Get to it next week" or that, "I couldn't find a fresh coconut," (which is hard, here on the Hawaiian island of O'ahu...)
... Then came the devastating news on August 23rd, and I felt so guilty for not finding the time to take one silly picture...
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| Tina |
Today, in honor of Tina, the A to Z Team hosts a sunflower tribute (a flower Tina loved) and people all over the blogosphere will have sunflowers front and center to remember a friend and fellow writer whose blog was called "Life Is Good."
(To assist in the continuing education of Tina's two sons, the family has set up the Downey Education Fund. To donate via secure link to PayPal, please click here.)
I'm grateful I got to know a little more about Tina... and for the chance today to fulfill her simple request.
So, I'm sure she wouldn't mind that a few in our family got involved to honor a friend who always believed Life Is Good.
Here then are three generations, two grownups and one sunflower for Tina:
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| Sunflowers and a Coconut Drink (avec straw:) |
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| Wow, it actually tastes good!! |
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| #1 Son Chilling Like Papa :) |
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| #1 Grandmother relaxing :) |
Thanks for the laughs - and now for all the wonderful memories, Tina :)
Rest In Peace...
32 comments:
Dude, she's be laughing her ass off right now! Especially since you got the family involved. Don't worry - I'm sure she saw those photos from Heaven.
Hi Mark - yes I have some Viking posts from the British Museum awaiting .. now they'll be a tribute to her ..
Tina did amuse us .. and I love that you've reminisced by sharing with us your coconut heaven ...
Great fun - cheers Hilary
Wow! I bet Tina is having a laugh right now.
Agree with Alex. She's laughing her @$$ off right now. LOL
I'm sure Tina will be laughing at these pics, Mark. Great sense of humour. What lovely tributes we've seen today.
Never is too late to fullfil promises, I say. Once again, you rocked with your humor. And laughing was one of her favorite things. Dragon hugs, Mark.
Wonderful pictures Mark. I hope Tina can enjoy them too. I am certainly going to save one of these, can't resist it. Thanks for popping in to my blog too this morning. I was wondering how to get to your blog. We all miss Tina so much.
oh... my... I am sure she is laughing hard, thank you. I have no words other than thank you. I think you captured the moment, I needed it, Tina is enjoying it... thank you.
Jeremy
Ah-hahahaha!!!! How is it that I'm laughing and crying at the same time?!?!?
I really am.
Tears. AND. Laughter.
Mark, you're the best. Tina loved you. And I know she doesn't mind the picture being late. This was beyond perfect. HUGE hugs to you!!!
This is fantastic!! I'm going to agree with Alex on this one: she's got to be laughing from Heaven :D
~Jen
Holy coconuts Batman! I totally share the sentiments of my fellow commenters above, Tina is most definitely in stitches. And I'm glad you found the last sunflower too, life is good.
Haha! She'd love those pictures! I bet she's laughing in heaven right now!
Haha! She'd love those pictures! I bet she's laughing in heaven right now!
This is an amazing tribute, Mark! I know she's laughing right now, loving your coconut bra. Thanks for sharing!
We never know what tomorrow will bring. You did a great tribute and added your usual sense of humor Mark. Wonderful. Nice that you added the coconut and straw. Even grandma got in on the action and is that coconut bra hereditary? Your son looks amazing. We miss you Tina.
HA! I came here for sunflowers and got the sunshine! Tina would have loved it! Thanks Mark!
That is fifty levels of awesome! I'm sure Tina's loving this right now.
Beautiful post. My eyes are leaking. Thank you.
Thank you for the mix of laughter & tears, Mark!
Now I'm really beginning to feel all wrung-out, like a dish rag...
BUT... Life is good!
I've read so many tributes today, Mark, but this one made me bust into tears! How wonderful that you did this. I hope you can hold this close to your heart and know she understood.
Thank you,
Heather
You get the Most Creative Use of Sunflower Award. :) It's wonderful that her spirit can still encourage people to laugh!
Mark, you make me laugh and cry at the same time. God bless your family. Tina would have really loved that and somewhere she knows you fulfilled her request.
Bravo. This is the funniest yet most heartfelt tribute I've seen so far today.
Best tribute EVER. I'm sure one day, Tina will high five you at the Pearly Gates for that one!
Very nicely done :)
This was absolutely fantastic, and I'm sure that Tina would have loved it immensely. If goofing around with your family isn't proof of "life is good," I don't know what is.
This is awesome. What a wonderful tribute for a girl with a great sense of humor . . . and a great laugh, with a tear, for the rest of us.
I swear sometimes I'm embarrassed to know you... but then again, it was a fantastic tribute :)
This has to be the most amazing tribute I've seen so far. I was laughing and crying at the same time.
I've no doubt that Tina's in heaven laughing and shaking her head at your shenanigans. You did good! Hugs. Eva
Mark only you would come up with something as thoughtful and funny as this. Hahaha!!
Such a sweet and funny tribute.
My condolences. I did not know Tina but it seems her sense of humor, based on previous comments, would have greatly appreciated the laughs and the tribute. May she rest in peace.
Btw - loved the extra cast members in this production! Please give them my love! Miss you all!
This tribute rocks! So fun of your family to join in. She would absolutely love this!
Alex is right! She's probably STILL laughing, and so happy you finally did this. Love how you got your son and his grandmother involved! Sorry I'm late getting here. Don't know how I did that.
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