Laura Finch [UK] & Catherine, Friends for Life.

Catherine a truly dear friend 14 November 2009
Another year older, my senior, for a short while every year when her birthday comes first. Thank you Sherina for being so wonderful to Catherine’s and enriching her life and making this wonderful birthday present to a truly deserving Catherine.
I met ‘Catherine at Greenham Common a woman’s peace camp in 1988. She just returned from travelling the world including a stint in Nicaragua where she did volunteer work she has always been interested in justice for all beings. At Greenham we went through many things that cemented a life time friendship. Catherine has always been breaking the mould. Whatever Catherine does is always with more than what is required of any being which she thinks is not good enough. She/I never remember how small built she is because her presents and accomplishments are always huge. Her best is more than enough. Those lucky children she now teaches have a wonderful role model in such a remarkable woman always giving more than is required. Catherine and I then worked together nearly ten years in London defending women’s rights. There are many women who were immigrant and or victims of terrible abuse etc. who I think even if they do not know what has become of Catherine will never forget the amazing tireless work she did for them. I was then lucky enough to be with Catherine for the birth of Akira and what a wonderful mother she is. It was an exhausting birth for her, one of the only times I saw her lost for words. Yes you all know she is a tiger and would defend Akira her friends and family right to the end.

Catherine is truly my family. What a wonderful mother/Essie, Catherine had; she would be so proud to see this write up on Catherine and I know she will be smiling at her. I am so lucky to have Catherine to turn to when I am confused messed up by life’s journey. She is always there when you need a true friend to keep you learning and growing. She has done/does the work on her self and you can rely on her judgement and integrity; she is always there with solid advice. Catherine is truthful honest and keeps her head when we are all being bombarded by mass materialism keeping it real.

I truly realised how important Catherine was in my life when she left for Malaysia, I could not understand why everyone was so sad, I knew we were always there for each other regardless of distance nothing could ever change that. But when she really left I was shocked I cried for a day I felt I lost my right arm and really alone in London. Love you Catherine always here whatever you need. Now that we have both found our loves in Malaysia, I hope we will soon be both living there and continue our life times of friendship.

Laura