I can't breathe. I keep trying to catch my breath. I woke up this morning hoping I’d had a terrible dream but, it is not a dream, it is a nightmare that is never going to end. I can't imagine a world without my friend, Cindy Edelstein, it doesn't seem right. I want to call her, upset, and tell her what is going on. I am going to miss our long conversations, our laughs and our mutual support.
I see her, wherever she is, saying, “WTF? Where am I? I am not supposed to be here!! I am not done! I have so much more to do and give, to my daughter, Remy, to my husband, Frank, to all my friends, to all the designers who need my guidance.” I wish, like on the TV show Drop Dead Diva, I would get a call from some stranger, saying they made a mistake upstairs and Cindy is now in this other woman's body. That would be a better dream.
I lost one of my best friends, but we as an industry lost one of the most important people! I used to say to her, “There will always be a new talented jewelry designer but there will only ever be one ‘Cindy Edelstein’ no matter how many people try!” She was one of the most caring individuals who just adored jewelry! She was no nonsense: she told you how it was, whether you liked it or not, but it came from love and caring place. She loved jewelry and she loved designers and her goal in life was to help them in any way she could! Just a few days ago, she was texting me to ask about some advice for one of her newbie designers, and I loved being able to help her help other people!
The photo I choose was from the WJA gala event and it meant so much to me that she was there to celebrate on my special night, she was soo happy for me, you would think *she* had won the award that night! But it was me who won with her friendship!
I took a marketing class with Cindy years before we became friends and one of her quotes that always stuck with me was, "It is not who you know, it is who knows You!" Well everyone knew her, and for the better! A bright light went out yesterday but she will live on in all of us, in all of our stories, in all of our hearts, in Frank and in her "heart", Remy! We love you Cindy!
I want to add that Remy is like a niece to all of us, and a fund was started with love, for her college education.
#memoriesofcindy
Please give, no amount is too small or too big!
here is the link:
https://www.youcaring.com/remy-sasha-stankus-509902…
