Saturday, November 24, 2018
The first time I met Pauline she was coming over for dinner in our rough-and-tumble single room warehouse space. It was Greek chicken stewed on the single burner hot plate that served as the kitchen. I was pretty nervous.
When she arrived she was wearing an Alfred Sung suit - just so polished and lovely - and I gulped.
But what, for me, was her defining quality, just leapt out. She was so utterly, naturally gracious. I don't think it ever occurred to her that's what she was doing. It was just how she was. I never saw her less than welcoming, less than thoughtful. She was a warm spirit. (With a pretty cheeky sense of humour too.)
I'm grateful for the trips to the teahouse, the free run of her kitchen, the always stocked freezer, the 5:00 gin-and-tonics and the lessons I keep returning to in my heart about forgiveness and loyalty and family.
My heart is with you, Sylvestre clan.
