Wren Smith, a resident of Amesville and a beloved regular at Toymakers Cafe, died this weekend after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Ann Bidou remembers and mourns one of her favorite customers:
"Wren Smith was one of the first people to become a regular at the cafe when we opened five years ago, and Greg and I will sorely miss her. The one thing I keep hearing over and over from people who know (knew...it's hard to use the past tense) Wren is that "she had this presence." She was strong and gracious at the same time, truly the ultimate combination for a human female. She walked in the cafe during one of our first days open, ordered food, and right away the encouraging words began: "Oh, this is great. I'm so glad you two have opened up this place. It really makes it easier. You do such a great job. The food is always wonderful. Thank you so much." There were days when hearing those words from Wren kept us going. There were days when Wren, in fact, was one of the few people who even walked in the door.
Wren, who lived on Sugar Hill, had been battling cancer for about five years already when we met her. So I knew from the start that she might have special food needs. But I noticed something curious. She always ordered exactly what she wanted, exactly the way she wanted it. No apologies, no "sorry" in her desires. I know the gift many cancer patients receive from their illness is to cut loose and live life on their terms, and when it came to food, Wren enjoyed herself to the fullest. Sweet potato waffles were a frequent favorite. I began to worry a little, though, when she continued to order hot chocolate this year well into the summer temperatures. I worried about what feeling cold might mean.
We were very blessed to have her daughter Caroline work for us as our first real employee. Caroline was, and is, great. She is loved by many, as she should be with her tremendous combo of looks, charm and smarts.
Wren effortlessly attracted all the help she needed to get through her tribulations. I always think of Jeremy Dakin, by her side, and deeply caring in all the times they were in the cafe together. Jeremy once told me he felt helping Wren through her cancer was "a privilege." I have thought often about where you have to be inside yourself to make that remark with sincerity. But when I think of Wren, I see how easy it would be for Jeremy, or anybody, to say that. Greg and I feel it was a privilege to help feed her and her family during her long struggle. A strong and gracious lady has passed from Falls Village, never to return...and for that, it is appropriate to be sad."
--Ann Bidou
Monday, July 9, 2007
In Memoriam: Wren Smith
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3 comments:
Thanks for the lovely tribute, Ann (and Dan). Wren was a dear friend to our family, and to our whole community.
Thank you, Annie. For any who may have missed it -- or didn't bring a #2 pencil to the service -- here's Wren's Summer Reading List: Gary Paulsen's Winterdance, Jane Goodall's Harvest for Hope, James Thurber's The White Deer, Willa Cather's O Pioneers, Billy Collin's Nine Horses, and any of Tove Jansson's books about the Moomintrolls. The Movie List includes Shrek, Men in Black, The Princess Bride, Young Frankenstein, and An Inconvenient Truth.
I loved the Cremation of Sam magee that Wrens son read at the gathering memorial. But to know that she had the entire thing memorized and would recite it to her children was real insight into her life - she found what was important - she really lived.
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