Helen, we are grateful to God for your life and friendship. Grateful for the laughter, tears and dreams that we shared together…your witty sense of humour, kindness and braveness. Visiting you and George at the Mill was like jumping into another Time dimension…a Secret Garden unveiling a dance of colours, aromas, flowers, herbs…Art on the walls and in the earth, created by you…sounds of jazz or classical music from an old, but vibrant, gramophone would take some time to share their tunes with the brook fiddling in the corner. Sometimes we would cook together, busy giggling bees, happily flying with spoons, spices and words…Other times, we would lazily sip tea, no hurry at all, just enjoying glimpses of heaven, tasting your glorious cakes and jams… You initiated Lamont in the secret craft of Damson gin; and now we have a traditional, annual Christmas gift for our friends… You spent many afternoons teaching Art to Stephanie…the importance of being patient to capture the rich details of nature…not to rush or give up of the hidden gems of life. You inspired resilience. I still have in my garden the horseradish that you gave me. It was such hard work to pull a piece of the deep root from your garden, but you didn’t give up until you handed me the special prize. I told you on that occasion that horseradish in Portuguese is “raiz forte”, “strong root”. I am looking at my garden now and thinking of you. Helen, the Winter has collapsed the leaves around the horseradish that you gave me, but the birds are singing, announcing a Spring that won’t be late to arrive. You are a “strong root”, my friend. You have planted in me and in so many hearts a deep and strong root of love and friendship. You have nurtured a courageous, kind, intelligent and creative young man in George who will carry your roots in his wonderful character forever. Life winters don’t matter...there will be always be Spring when we have a strong root of love. Thank you, Helen. Mayra, Lamont and Stephanie