Jean/Sparkle is at Peace

[Bethers]

My dear friend (and all of yours) Sparkle departed us yesterday, finally at peace. At one time Jean told me when this time came, she wanted me to caption the post with "Sparkle has lost her Sparkle". I refused. And yesterday, on the singles forum someone succinctly said that instead of the stars twinkling now, they will be sparkling. How very apropos. As Sparkle was our sparkling star.

I know that everyone says that I can't tell them not to cry (heck, can't tell myself not to) but Jean would have told us that. So, for her sake, I'm saying it anyway. She doesn't want tears. She wants to be remembered as the person (character) she was. She would rather we have fun and retell our stories about her (although no one can quite tell a Sparkle story like she could). She could tell the stories about herself better than everyone, and with laughter, when many would have been pulling out their hair. (Like her beach episode).

For those of you new, Sparkle was with this forum from the beginning. She and I caravanned together off and on over the years and she met many of the ladies on her travels, or theirs. I will miss this feisty, funny, irreverent, stubborn Scotswoman. But not as much as you'd think, as she'll still be traveling with me. And if she told me the truth, she'll be haunting us. I truly believe that she was somehow involved in the forum crashing yesterday. I mean, c'mon, she would have LOVED that it happened then. And she's up there laughing at us.

So, when you see the stars tonight, or any night, they will be sparkling.

Now - it's time to share your favorite Sparkle stories and pictures. Please post them here. And for those coming to the gtg, I hope we can have an hour or two to share a drink and some stories. (Yes, I say without tears, but I don't promise that - but I do promise, if we are sharing Sparkle stories, there will be much laughter with those tears.)

RIP my dear friend;

[Forestgal]

Sigh ...

I heard via Vickie last night that Sparkle had finally died and immediately thought about the forum crashing -- quite a metaphor.

I never met Sparkle but was one of the many who sat in front of her computer with tears rolling down her cheeks from laughing so hard over her "antics". I'll never forget her beach trip! Only she could literally dig herself out and drive away unscathed.

She will be missed, for sure. But she will live in our hearts, having touched each and every one of us in her own special, unique way.

Laura

[mitch5252]

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[dayspring39]

May each one that knew Jean Sparkle find comfort and know that she is at peace... kind of interesting that the forum would be down a whole day when she was in her last day on earth... as this tugs at your heart strings let the laughs and tears flow as you remember how much she added to your lives...
Kathleen

Thank you Mitch for the collage celebrating Jean.

[Pooker]

Like Laura, I never met Jean in person, either. But I felt like I knew her right from the start. The sparkle might be a bit dimmer down here, but wherever our Sparkle is now it's bound to be brighter. A forum crash is too much of a coincidence, don't you think? Can't you hear the laugh?

Beth, my heart goes out to you because you have lost a dear sister. Even the strongest of the strong cry. She might scold us for mourning, but now she will know how many lives she touched.

Evie

[Liz]

Remembering Sparkle:

I first met Sparkle while she was in the midst of her traveling adventures at our first FL GTG at Silver River State Park. I had been following her travels and enjoying her dry humor online for some time. I was surprised to find in person, she also had a quiet pensive side.


Many of you may not know that it was Sparkle who was the originator of our forum’s flamingo mascot. It all began when she “birdnapped” a friend’s lawn ornament and carried it on her travel adventures.


While in Ocala, she bought these flamingo pants and that led to all things flamingo. Others on the forum picked up the momentum, and next came Belle and of course, Karen really got carried away.


I’ll always remember her spunk and bravery even when “bad luck” came her way.


The first FL GTG at Silver River:


With singer, Jon Semmes of the Singing River Tour:


Even in sickness last summer, she was ready for a good time with friends.


I know others have some special memories of Sparkle and perhaps some pictures to share. I propose we dedicate this year's FL GTG in her memory and celebrate with stories, laughter, and yes, perhaps a tear or two.

[Redetotry]

My heart is heavy along will everyone else this morning. I was fortunate to meet my hero a few years ago when she came though on that wild trip to, I think it was South Dakota. The trip where she jackknifed the trailer and then all sorts of problems happen, eventually ending with a newer TT.
I remember reading her early posts on another forum back when she had broken her foot and thinking what a great person I want to meet her someday. I too remember the flamingo heist! And how I marveled at the fact that she didn't wash out to sea in TX, the pictures she posted with the water all around her steps!!
Mitch, your collage was great and how wonderful to see all the other pictures showing lots of happy times.
Yes, Sparkle with be a part of us and the forum forever.

[Mollysmom]

I just know Sparkle was part of the forum crashing yesterday ! That's just something she would do !!
I never got a chance to meet her, but always enjoyed her posts and felt she was someone I wanted to be. She was so brave and just kept going no matter what happened. I remember her story about going in the ditch while towing her trailer and she just threw the extra parts in the back of her vehicle and drove down the road ! I would have sat in the ditch crying until someone "saved" me - she saved herself ! What a rock star !!
Rest in peace Sparkle - I love you and will miss you and I promise to honor you by being a braver person and by not waiting for someone to save me, I'll just save myself - Thanks for the great lessons you taught me and for being you.

[AlmostThere]

I never knew Jean in person, but her one line that I use often is:
"my eyes, my eyes"!

She will be sorely missed, but she will forever be a part of this group in our hearts.

Sparkle on, Jean!

[pattyk]

Thanks Mitch for the collage. It was great. Also thanks Liz for the wonderful pictures. Even though I never met Sparkle, I felt we had a connection. We became widows at almost the same time. She will be missed.

[VickieP]

Yep, I think Sparkle's contribution to this forum will remain for a very long time. I loved her story about the tide coming in on her at the beach. But my most favorite thing was that she is the one person I know of that actually had Mitch running scared! When she posted the pic of Jean in the tin foil hat, she was sweating for a while because everybody told her she better watch out because Jean would get even with her! It all turned out good. Beth, Sarah, Darlene & hubby, thank you all for everything you did to take care of our "Sistah".

[mtngal]

I'm missing Sparkle this morning too. And remembering asking her how she got her nickname.....she looked at me with that 'sparkle' in her eye and I got it.

(fun to see the pics, thanks Mitch and Liz for posting)

[retiredhappy]

Blast, where did my post go?

I see I'm not the only one who believes that Sparkle took down the entire forum to be sure we all remembered her,

My memory is of meeting her in Port Aransas with Beth. We're driving down the road in Jean's truck and she yells "SHRIMP BOAT". She makes such a hard right turn into the parkinglot I thought the truck was going to turn over. A shrimp boat is just docking and I think she was first in line to buy fresh shrimp which we all feasted on later.

Here are Carole, Sparkle and me standing in line to buy the shrimp



Here are Carole and Sparkle cleaning the shrimp. (Yuck) I eat them, don
t clean.



I remember her motto: "JUST GO FOR IT!" You will be sorely missed my friend and remembered always with a laugh at your antics.

[Bethers]

I'm sitting here laughing and crying. That great flamingo heist - the flamingo came from Darlene's yard (where it was ultimately returned.) I wonder if Darlene knows what a part she played in our forum and mascot? I'm going to have to share this thread with her.

Peaches and I just came from the beach with my g/f here in FL. Jean loved the beach. Peaches and I said a little something for her and celebrated the times we spent with her.

Karen, I was working when you guys did the shrimp boat buy. But I sure helped eat them Jean and I shared a love for shrimp and bought them everywhere. And this past summer when she was struggling with eating every time someone came to visit, we'd fix shrimp - and Jean would manage to eat at least a few. She couldn't say no to shrimp - especiallly cold with cocktail sauce.

Liz, I'd love to have the FL gtg this year be in Sparkle's honor. What a tribute to what a wonderful, wacky, wild woman. As are all the pictures and stories being shared here. Thank you everyone.

[Liz]

Peaches and I just came from the beach with my g/f here in FL. Jean loved the beach. Peaches and I said a little something for her and celebrated the times we spent with her.

Liz, I'd love to have the FL gtg this year be in Sparkle's honor. What a tribute to what a wonderful, wacky, wild woman. As are all the pictures and stories being shared here. Thank you everyone.

Ok, I have to know what Peaches said....

I'm bringing some shrimp....cold with cocktail sauce....Sparkle must have ordered it.