Anniversary mandala

On April 8, 2012, I completed a tribute project to mark the fifth anniversary of Chris’ passing. It has taken me some time to get images together, and for that I am sorry, but I am sharing it at last. Each of the segments represents either something that was special to me about Chris, or a specific memory.

Panels clockwise from centre:

An eagle flying over mountains. For me, this was an ideal representation of the courage that Chris showed throughout her journey.

The Bhagavad Gita

Hinduism’s holy book, from which Chris drew strength and inspiration to face the challenges life threw at her.

The holy book of Hinduism, from which Chris drew strength to face life’s challenges.

A football goal and a spade

This image represents a conversation Chris and I had after the 2006 football World Cup match between Germany and Argentina. I told her the joke ‘What do you call a man with a spade on his head?’ (Doug) and her response was ‘What’s a spade?’

Food

Chris loved to cook, particularly pizzas. She spoke of food so often that it became a good indicator of how she was feeling to me. If she spoke of actually cooking, I knew she was OK.

Representation of nature (tree and dog)

Chris enjoyed gardening and loved nature, although a friend once told me she used to complain because ‘Everything here [in her hometown] is nature, and the Beatle world is so far away!”

Family

This is self-explanatory – Chris loved her parents, her kids and her husband.

Friends

Chris valued the friendships she made within the forum community, and I know she had many close friends in real life. With this panel, I honour them.

The world

Chris loved the world around her, and the people in it.

Dancing

This image recalls two special memories. Chris and I were talking about something, and she mentioned that she had a George track on called ‘Fish on the Sand’, a very groovy song. She informed me that ‘Everybody is dancing!’ I expressed surprise, and that was the moment she said ‘I dance everything I think, except the tango!’ =)

Beatles ‘devotion’

I’ve been a bit ‘cheeky’ with this one. Using the apple, and the colour of Indian renunciants’ robes to symbolise Chris’ devotion to The Beatles.

Music

This image is a more general representation of Chris’ love for music. I remain very proud of the fact that I helped her get back into playing guitar before she passed away. I was able to provide materials which she also used to teach her son.

Thank you for taking the time to share in my creative honouring of my friend. I struggle to find ways to honour the influence she had on me, but I think this goes some way towards that.