If you are new to this site, please read my initial post explaining my Ride4April: davidtimberline.com/a-ride-for-april/
Today was the celebration of April’s life and it was so many things: a moving tribute, an inspiring remembrance, a delightful display of her prodigious talents, an example of the enduring love between two humans, and much more. There was music, there was laughter, and there were a lot of tears.
I could try to capture the atmosphere but words wouldn’t do it justice. April was smart, funny, quirky, and productive (82 books!) and all of those aspects of her were on display. She influenced and connected with people from all over the world: talented, fun, eclectic people who, if they had anything in common besides April, shared a love of nature and a devotion to fostering creativity. It made the conversations struck up in the day’s transitions interesting and fun, and led to at least one exciting new connection that will continue into the future.
Among the dozens of books that could have been used as a centerpiece was “Stars Beneath Your Bed: The Surprising Story of Dust.” On a sign in the “Gallery of April” next to where the celebration was held, April is quoted as saying she thought it was probably her best writing. To me, it reflects her unique ability to explicate the extraordinary facets of even the most mundane aspects of life.
After the celebration, there was a reception & luncheon that had the most creative assemblage of food I have ever seen. April’s husband Jeff had consulted with a local chef, using April’s books as the inspiration for different dishes. The results were unbelievable, from a salad that looked like a garden of radishes and carrots to multilayered mousse tortes cradled in bowls of solid chocolate. Each dish had a themed “mocktail” that was equally surprising. In the midst of it all was an ice sculpture of a frog, one of April’s favorite subjects.
Holly and I both experienced too many feelings to enumerate, as did others who we talked to. But I think what all of us felt in various ways was extremely lucky to have known April, to have enjoyed her off-hand wit and unique blend of deep intelligence and genuine warmth. We are also lucky to have remnants of her beautiful life in her wonderful books. It will ensure that she will never really be gone, even after all us who loved her are no longer around.
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