Gratitude...and memories

Written on Nov 9: Last Sunday, I experienced something that I am sure will affect me for a long time to come. My teacher of the last 3 years passed away, somewhat unexpectedly. It has, needless to say, been a rough week. I went through many emotions from sadness to anger and regret, and everything in between. I'm sure that's probably normal. I knew she was sick, but had only seen her about 2 weeks before looking very strong and healthy.
The strangest thing was that I almost didn't feel as if I should be feeling as sad as I did, knowing that many other people had known her for much longer than I did. But the more friends I spoke to who had worked with her claimed that this was just her way. And for me, that's exactly what it was.
I have been close to my 4 other teachers, but with no offense to them, I never felt this close. Not only was Norma a incredible human being, but I credit her in some part to bringing me back into the fold of the opera business. And all she had to do was give me the tools to be a better singer, a better performer and a better artist.

Update: Since I wrote those last two paragraphs, I have since had more closure. It was hard for me to write about her at first, but I feel it is now time to finish this post. This past weekend, there was a lovely memorial at her farm upstate: her house was filled with warm people, memories, food and libations, just the way she would have wanted it. I don't presume to have ever known her as well as some of the people that attended, but it didn't matter. Everyone was sharing stories and remembering happily, which is exactly what we all needed, I think. I can't say that there won't be days from now on that I will want to pick up the phone to ask her advice or call her for a lesson, but I can say that I will do my very best to keep at my career with gusto and passion: For Norma, because she would have wanted nothing less for me.