Orange Tulips to Commemorate Artist Leslie Enders Lee

This past weekend I took a trip to Agoura Hills to celebrate the birthday of my childhood friend's sister who passed away a short time ago. My friend held an afternoon soiree on the day her sister would have turned 64.

My friends intention was not to evoke sadness and grieving, but to celebrate her sister's life and all the joys of being a woman and sharing in community, friendship, beauty and stimulating conversation.

The beautiful orange tulips added to the festive atmosphere and prefaced what was to be a most enjoyable celebration of life. On the table where the afternoon treats would be laid out my friend displayed mementos of her sister's well lived life.

Leslie Enders Lee was a delicate beauty who lived her life in pursuit of creativity and and left behind a legacy of artwork, two children who loved her dearly, two sisters, a brother, and a mother and countless friends who will all miss her dearly.

There were several interesting woman who attended and I'm only sorry I didn't stop and take their photos.
The photo above is my friend Brook with her daughter Abbey, who listened to her mother's friends talk (mostly from up in her bedroom where she spent the afternoon studying...at least that is what I thought she was doing). I have fond memories of listening to the conversations my own mother had with many of her life long friends.

Even the family dog found the conversation of these chatty women to be most fascinating.

Everybody brought something to contribute to the afternoon...quiche, wine, salad, chocolate cake, witty conversation, intriguing stories, everything needed to make a woman want to linger a while longer.

It is a good thing to stop and reflect on what life is really about, what we really want out of life, and what relationships we need to nurture, and there is nothing like losing someone you love to bring that lesson home!