Thoughts and memories of birdlady1978 (ABear70)

Yesterday, I work up and looked out our kitchen window onto a beautiful scene of the sun rising and glistening over the first snowfall of the season where I live. Shortly after, I logged onto my farm and found I had a message about a woman who, in the limited time I knew her, had such a presence of peace and beauty that it just kinda radiated from her.

On the old forum, you may remember that we had a thread going for birdlady1978 (ABear70) and that she was undergoing cancer treatments. What started out for her as skin cancer had spread to her lymph nodes and eventually to other parts of her body.

I will post her siggys here for those of us whose memories are more visually inclined...

​

The message in my inbox was from DBAYES who had been texting back and forth with her, and who had been keeping us informed after birdlady had stopped farming to better focus on fighting the cancer and to be with her family. Here is what the igm said...

DBAYES also wrote about birdlady that,

While I am sad to know that such a special person is now gone from our lives, there is such peace in my spirit about her passing. I know how strong her faith in the Lord is and some of my strongest memories of her as my neighbor are about just that very thing: her strong faith... and of us praying together.

I first became aware that birdlady had cancer a month or so after we became neighbors. I had several open slots at the time, and randomly picked out people from the forum that I thought were nice, who I liked, or who I just plain thought were neat! She accepted and that was that!


It was from a dear friend of hers that I first found out that she was heading into the hospital for cancer treatments... So I swung by in an igm to say hi to her and to remind her to bring some pajamas for her upcoming trip! (As everyone know that the ones they give you at the hospital are not very good at keeping drafts at bay!) We had a good chuckle over this, and then before I knew it, we were praying for her, for me, as well as for a friend of hers who was moving and going through a rough time!! (Talk about having a heart for others!)

It seemed like anytime I talked to her about how she was doing, she was always upbeat and positive. Even when I asked how she was "really doing", she was honest and real, but still positive. She did admit to being tired, but she was believing that despite it all that Jesus could heal her. (I am not sure how many she told this, but I think she would want it mentioned). Although her being healed of the cancer did not happen, I know personally of people who have been healed and firmly believe that nothing is impossible with God.

My hope is that this thread can be a place where we can share memories of her and help each other through the grieving process. I know many of us have different beliefs and I always want to be sensitive that that. But as far as Deb is concerned, there is no doubt in my mind that she loved Jesus. ♥

 

@CJAT, I would like to thank you for such a beautiful posting, as you know I am not a very good Forum speaker, like yourself.

ABear aka birdlady is missed and has been for quite some time now. She taught me not to forget compassion in this mixed up world of ours and to remember to always be kind to one another, No matter what (even if you feel differently) and want to stir the pot up a little. However, she did have her complaints and when she felt it was neccesary she would belt them out (mostly about her Boyfreind at home), LOL! I could go into that but, I won't.

I have learned from her and she was a great friend that I will never forget.

 

I met birdlady through the forum and Gift/Trade and then later she became my neighbor. She was a very kind woman with forum posts and IGMs full of support, encouragement, hope, a positive outlook on life and a strong faith. Her attitude was an example that challenged me to try to be better in my own life. I have missed her greatly and thank you DBAYES for sharing this news with us. Of course, I am saddened by this loss but knowing she is resting in His loving embrace comforts me. My thoughts and prayers are with her family, both RL and Farmerama farming family.

 

@DBAYES ~ I think you do wonderfully in expressing yourself! I admire those who can get to the point in a few words. However I am full aware that particular skill is not one of my strengths lol!


Like I said in my igm, you knew her a lot better than I did! It's very interesting to me that she never told me she had a boyfriend... of course, I know there were some threads on the old forum where folks chatted a lot and that I never got around to reading. So perhaps it was common knowledge and she just assumed I knew??


Either way, it sounds like her life has touched you in a very special way... and I can't help but believe that you have touched her life in ways you will never know! (That just kinda happens when you open your hearts and really share with another person!) {{hugs}}

I now understand your comment about being kind to each other from the first post. There is so much wisdom in what she shared with you and I really appreciate you sharing it with us! To be kind even when others are being complete jerks, or your blood is boiling, is not at all easy! But there is such wisdom in being kind; I think we all could list some good examples of the kinds of fruit we receive when we sow kindness verses hurt. It is so true that we eventually reap (harvest) what we sow...

@pnp ~ you snuck in just as I was going to post this! Both your and DBAYES's posts make me wish that I had known her longer and even better than I had...

 

Wow I am sorry to hear she has passed away!

I remember seeing some post on the old forum.

 

I think many of us have missed seeing Birdlady/ABear about - thanks for letting us know CJ and DBayes. So very sad ... what more can I say.

 

@puppiesnponies, You have been so considerate and always wondering and asking about her, I can see you, as well as many, were friends and why not?!! She was the coolest player around, she wanted everything new, her MO was, Get all the new stuff and quick!

Please, everyone feel free to say how you feel, it's perfectly fine. I know I've been known as the closer of posts in the past but, that's because I'm not a very good forum speaker. ABear taught me this! She said, " how do you manage to shut a post down?" in the steam room?? I said, I'm not sure, it just happens....all the time......Thanks Deb.

Since a Mod came in, this is where I've learned to remain calm

She loved teddy

 

I wish there was a way that her relatives could know of how many of us online gamers were pulling for her.

 

I am sad to hear the news about birdlady1978. I know she can hear and see the love we had for her. She is now wrapped in the loving arms of God.

 

I'm so sad to hear of Deb's passing. As one of her neighbors I knew of her struggles. Her focus was on others and not herself. The thing that always got to me was she was always apologizing for being a bad neighbor when her thermometer would start to go down. I told her at the time not to worry about that and to just get better!
It seems that God had other plans for her. Of this I'm very sure.
DB if you have any contact with the family please pass on our condolences and let them know that I, for one, will continue to pray for them.

 

I didn't know ABear/birdlady very well. I remember her in 2011 on my first Trade & Gift event that she was one of the few who trusted me enough to make a trade (I was a total newbie to the forum).
It's really sad that the old forum disappeared. We could have known, remembered and cherished her memory just by looking at her posts.
This is a community that lasts for at least three years, almost four. It has been such a good journey for a friendly forum. People from nearly every corner of the globe come and go and that means we've been here for a long time. I hope we can continue for many years to come, greeting new people. But that also means that we have to say good-bye to some of us as well, because life goes on...

So, farewell sweet Birdlady...

 

Thanks for letting us know, and may her departed soul rest in peace till The Second Coming...

 

I started off this day walking in the cold mourning air (cold for AZ). As I walked, I thought that I needed to reconnect with my friends on the forum. Many changes have been occurring for me - all good and all from God. What jolt of sadness comes fom one of the 1st threads that I read is about BirdLady's passing. I wish her Peace, Love and Joy on her new journey with God.

I must admit that I am not always good at keeping everyone straight as the years have gone by. I do know that she touched many hearts. For all who are saddened by her passing please take comfort that she is no longer suffering with that hideous disease.

Thank you CJAT and DBAYES for sharing this sad news and for sharing your memories of her positive spirit. May your faith keep you strong. This also goes for PNP and AnnT and everyone else who mourns her passing.

BTW, DBAYES, I always look forward to reading your posts. My only complaint of them is that there are so few. May you and CJAT and everyone else stay positive in honor of BirdLady.

 

I am also very sad to lose one of our generous, kind fellow farmers and friend. I too wish family could realize how special people on this forum, touch us, help us and make us laugh. This game & forum has helped me keep my head above water, so to speak, many times. I will miss ABear/BiredLady and her sweet disposition.
Thanks DBAYES(I love ALL your posts) and CJAT for letting us know about her. I also believe she is with God, and thankfully out of pain.

 

ABear,Birdlady will be sadly missed. I first met her through the gift and trade event where she demonstrated great generosity and showed me what a wonderful community we have here. She has been and will continue to be sorely missed.

 

CJAT - read your post this morning and it took me a good while for it to sink in.

Myself and Dog took a really long walk and thought about things: especially my dear neighbour “ABear”. We became neighbours in January 2012 and gifted back and forth from then on. I’m not fond of igm’s but she dropped me the odd one and I would always answer, with a laugh as her questions were always kind of goofy. I was really worried when she dropped from my list last January but she patiently explained why. Thanks DBAYS for keeping me up to date since.

Debs, your soul is in my thoughts, and so is your family. Miss you girl.

 

I was wondering why she had not written anything lately. I am so sorry to hear about her passing.
One thing I do know for sure is that she is not in Pain any more and is at Peace with her Lord
and Savior. Another Saint just went to Heaven.
Happycallie

 

I had been thinking about ABear/ birdlady off and on alot lately, and every time I would say a quick prayer for her and her family... was hoping to see a zany post from her again, somehow she always seemed to say things that made me giggle. I didn't know her well just remember she used to post alot and I always enjoyed her posts. She did some pretty sweet things during g/t I remember her sending some trees and a pen at one point...when i tried to find out what she would like that i had she refused to consider it, instead she wanted me to help someone else.
I may have a different view than some, but I believe she got the Ultimate Healing... to be free of the pain and destruction of disease, and To be with her Savior.. yep that is what I call the ultimate Healing. Thank you DB and CJAT for posting this news... and I will also keep her family in my prayers.

 

I have found a way to go onto the old forum!!
But very limited.

ABear70
Forum Great Master

Join Date: 11.10.2010
Posts: 479

level 86 baha:112 confectioner: 3 baker:3 Spa:3 florist:3 alchemist 2

 

Aunty CJ and Dbayes thanks for sharing about this sad news.

I'm so sad to hear about this sad news about Aunty Deb. She was one of my lovely neighbors. I still remember before I being her neighbor she sent me a message asking whether I need a neighbor. She said she was one of my fans. She always read all my posts in the old forum and she would love to be my neighbor. At that moment I didn't have any empty neighbor slot. Then when one of my neighbor dropped due to inactivity I sent her a message asking her whether she still wanted to be my neighbor? Then she sent me an invitation and I accepted it. She was a lovely neighbor. She always send me toolboxes because she knew I love toolboxes.When I level up she sent me an artisan product with a congratulatory banner / messages to celebrate my level up.During G&T she sent me some pens. She was one of my lovely aunties who lifted up my spirit when I was in sadness moment last year. She asked me why she cannot see any of my post anymore. She said my posts has enlighten her day. It is so sad to hear about her passing. I have lost one of my lovely aunties. Our thoughts and prayers (me and my mum) are with her family, both RL and Farmerama farming family. Aunty Deb you'll be sadly missed.