I thought this was beautiful when I read it this morning…
RAVE to a legendary islander.
That night, the familiar and overwhelming Orcas Island windstorm swept through the Douglas Fir, invisibly offering howling, reckless dance to the entire forest. I was told Thursday that my very good friend and spiritual great aunt Ingrid was no longer with us, and immediately the squall grew in meaning and fervor.
We all knew her as the keeper of the Sea View Theatre, the island’s true blue Movie House since 1960, tending to the hearth of that business and its tedium well into her elder years. Despite her long road, overcoming cancer, the passing of John, and an industry with no care for its humble mom-and-pop cinemas, she remained sharp, savvy, hilarious, and vital. If you looked her in the eye, it was never hard to find a warm and mischievous spark.
Ing was shy, and would probably kick me for going on and on about her, but I will always stay struck by this odd feeling, that she was casting a charm on the island. She was incandescent when she sat in her box office, cheerily welcoming folks into the dreamhouse that she fought to keep alive.
I was always honored to catch her in the corner of my eye revelling, in a mask at our Halloween show, or dressed to the nines for a night of dance and spectacle.
She loved people and protected them, and found their joy to be sacred. She loved Elvis and creole architecture. Her life was an epic film, the feel-good tear-jerker of the year. I only started watching towards the end, but fell in love with it nonetheless.
I lost a friend and a role model. I truly want to be like her when I grow up.
And then that scouring, brilliant windstorm. Something something winds of change, of course, but I don’t think that’s the metaphor. And I don’t think the gale was carrying her away. The wind was her, every knot of its force equal to what that wiley southern woman housed within her body. And, as always, she gave all sticks in the mud permission to feel awe, to dream, to dance.
The island will miss you, Ingrid. Thank you for all you did to brighten our days – and evenings! And thank you, Pedro, for allowing me to post what you wrote.
Photos courtesy of Ingrid’s family and Pedro
What an incredibly loving tribute. And such a gorgeous piece of writing. Her spirit jumps off the page. Thank you Pedro for sharing your thoughts with us. Ingrid will be missed.
this brought me tears.. Ingrid indeed had a spark about her and kindness that ran deep. Thank you Pedro for sharing this beautiful honoring of a great woman.
I did a painting a while back called the calm before the storm.. and it has a great white owl flying through a storm. It seems fitting to share..This painting is an homage to this beautiful woman.
I cant attach images but if you scroll down a long ago gallery page you’ll see her:
https://www.mjwfinearts.com/artist/stephanie-clair/
Thank you for sharing this marvelous person with us. The hurt of her passing and the gap she leaves is palpable, but even though I did not know her or of her, being introduced to her now calls on me to pay attention to her wonderfu life rather than her inevitable death. Thank you, too, for including the windstorm in your perspective. Life is like a howling wind, bringing in new souls and carrying older, loved ones away, powerfully framing a long and loving life. A hundred miles away and never having met her I am moved. Thank you Pedro; thank you Elle, and Thank you Ingrid for having lived the life you lived that made such a sweet and deep impact on so many.
Thank you for sharing this marvelous person with us. The hurt of her passing and the gap she leaves is palpable, but even though I did not know her or of her, being introduced to her now calls on me to pay attention to her wonderful life rather than her inevitable death. Thank you, too, for including the windstorm in your perspective. Life is like a howling wind, bringing in new souls and carrying older, loved ones away, powerfully framing a long and loving life. A hundred miles away and never having met her I am moved. Thank you Pedro; thank you Elle, and Thank you Ingrid for having lived the life you lived that made such a sweet and deep impact on so many.