From Barbara Reichardt
I first met Sharon online in 1998 when I joined the Meniere's Coping Group. It was always amazing to me how one could find such close friends online in a support group. Sharon and I became close friends through the group, by private email and spent many hours talking on the phone. When Sharon and Bud were going to make a trip to Seattle to visit their daughter, they also decided to come to British Columbia, Canada. I couldn't see them being so close to where we live and us not meeting in person. That is just what we did. The McCall's flew from Florida to Seattle, then came by car to B.C. We both made the ferry trip across the Pacific Ocean to a beautiful place called the Sunshine Coast. There they stayed in a rented Condo at Secret Cove and we stayed in Sechelt. That first meeting was unbelievable to me and it was like we had been friends for years. We were there for 3 days and it was very hard to say goodbye but I knew we would meet again. They stayed for 2 weeks and their daughter came after we left to spend time with them there. They had a beautiful spot overlooking the ocean . It was always amazing to Sharon that she made that trip with Meniere's and all. She did much better than she thought she would.
As always we kept in touch almost daily by email. Approximately 2 years after our first meeting, Sharon and Bud decided to rent or buy a place in Washington for them to stay for the months when it was so hot in Florida. After a lot of looking they found a place near Bellingham WA and in September, 2003 Bob and I made the trip and we met again for the second time. It was wonderful to see them again. We both had our MM moments but we managed to have some fun and a nice visit. Again after 3 days it was time for us to make the trek back home again. We said our goodbyes and hoped to see each other again soon.
When Sharon and Bud returned to Florida in October she was diagnosed with cancer and had surgery almost immediately afterwards. She spent a year recovering and having treatments. They managed to make the trip to their condo in Bellingham once again in 2004 and we had hoped to see them again, but I kept getting sick and Sharon was not that well so we cancelled it all hoping to see them the following year. But sometimes things are just not meant to be.
I am glad for Sharon that she got to see the beautiful country there one more time, to see the deer out the bedroom window, to see their grandaughter Ashton one more time and to visit with their daughter and family. She had a feeling she wouldn't make that trip again.
Sharon was such a beautiful person inside and out. She helped so many of us in so many ways. There was nothing put on about her. She said it like it was. I feel very lucky to have had her in my life if only for a few years, I feel fortunate to have met her and her husband, to have spent time together and to have shared many laughs and yes a few tears. Sharon you will always be in my thoughts, you have a special place in my heart. Rest in peace my friend.
With loving memory.
Barb R.
Written 12/17/04
