Farewell, Joan Parker

I sent the message to Joan Parker on Saturday. Of course, I had meant to send it earlier. We always do.

We had things to discuss, but her health was not one of them. Since we had met in December of 2012, Joan had never once told me about her inoperable lung cancer. The first time we met, she came to the door of her Cambridge home breathless, wearing workout gear and whispered, "I'm so glad you're here, she's making me do more exercises!" The "she" was her Pilates instructor.

But Joan had already been suffering from lung cancer for over a year by the time we met. Even though she didn't say anything about that, she did tell me about her life. Her marriage to Bob. Her sons and family.

She told me, as I sat in the study where Robert B. Parker wrote over 70 books, that I should "write the book you want to write."

When she received my email on Saturday, she wrote back quickly, saying that it was great to hear from me and would I call her this week. She responded to my "much love" with "xxoo."

I planned to call her tonight, after my volunteer meetings on Monday and Wednesday were complete.

Joan died on Wednesday.

May she rest in peace and without pain. And I hope that she is sharing a cocktail with Bob in heaven right now with Pearl the Wonder Dog by their side.

Thank you, Joan, and Bob, too. You will forever be a part of what made this writer a writer. Much love.

This post originally appeared on my site: daniellemastersonbooks.com

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