Diane is Beautiful

I met Diane Carter on Dr. Marc's Bali retreat, and like four-year-olds, we became friends the minute we met. She probably even took my hand like children do, that's the feeling she gave.

Whenever she was with me it felt like we were making a cubby-house together: arranging pretty things for yoga, choosing fragrances, and getting the tea-set vibe happening.

With secrets! And plans!

We only had a few days together, in real life. I went crazy taking photos of her, because she was so gorgeous. It felt important to take them, and it feels important to share them with you now, so here they are, a kind of gift to you.

Diane supplying her 'calm' to me in the ice bath. All she had to do was be her beautiful self, shining quietly on me. I copied her breathing, and whatever she was feeling, I started feeling to. 'The universe is a safe place, and so is this icebath'!

Back in Australia, Diane and I had a handful of no-reason phone calls, the best kind, like 1980s teenagers. A couple of years passed.

Now she is gone.

We only had that one retreat together, in real life.

Diane's Essence

But in the years I didn't see her, I had her essence.

Well, it was a marvellous clove--pepper mystery-spiced elixer, in a dark glass bottle.

She created it, and there it sat, in the cupboard. A few drops elevated whatever you put it into, and gave a warming sweetness we nicknamed 'Christmas'.

'Would you like some Christmas in your chai?'

'How about some Christmas in the pudding?'

Diane, you were such a sparkling gift, my year-round Christmas. Remembering your beautiful face and spirit will get my heart doing little leapfrogs. Always.

Thank you Marc Cohen for the splashy, happy dream-world retreat you created in Bali, and the beautiful people you bring into my life. How grateful I am xxx

Postscript

That's the story I posted on my Facebook, as my goodbye to Diane.

A few days later, I got this comment from a man called Benn Beinseen, her husband:

"Diane Carter was my truly beloved wife for 14 and a half years.

She was as close to a saint as I have met.

We met on New Year’s Eve at Confest 2009 and lived very happily a fairy tale life.

She was a person who brought people together and made everyone feel special. Her whole life was dedicated to the service of becoming the best version of herself so she could help others achieve the same for themselves.

She was wise and playful, compassionate and joyful, full of grace and adventurous."

Benn sent a photo of her final goodbye. Which of course I don't want to believe in.

I'm going to keep imagining her here with us.

Thank you Benn, for making Diane happy and radiant, for all those years.