The art of giving: A tribute to my best high school friend Dominique

Two years ago, I lost my best high school friend to cancer. Her name was Dominique. We have been friends for fourty-two years. Our lives have paralelled somehow. Her oldest daughter is one month older than my oldest son.

Three beautiful daughters lost their mom, a very thoughtful and nice man lost his wife, two wonderful sisters lost their oldest sister, and many many friends lost one of their dearest (high school) friends, a whole community of organizations lost a devoted member, a business lost one of their founders. I am lost in words because this list is endless. And that is how her influence on us is still today. Endless.

She had the rare gift of complementing her friends with uplifting words and gestures. Ones that kept you awake at night. Ones that would embrace your own unique being. Ones that would stick to the heart like glue. Some people enter our lives quietly, almost like a gentle breeze and yet, they leave an imprint so strong that it stays with us forever. Their presence, their laughter, their love… it settles deep in our hearts, where time and distance cannot touch it.

Gifts made from the heart

Though time has passed, her presence still surrounds me daily, in memories, in the comfort she always gave, and in the gifts she left behind. A month before she crossed, she gave me thirteen of her handmade aromatic clay diffusers. We often discussed our little secret project and how we would get it sold because we truly believed we could make a difference in people's lives.

At the time, I didn’t understand the depth of that gesture. Now, I see them not just as objects, but as living symbols of her creativity, her support, and the boundless generosity that defined her.

She was endlessly creative, always finding beauty in the simplest things and turning them into treasures. Those clay diffusers were her art and the last months before her crossing, she spent all her time in her beautiful studio "D". Her pieces are stamped with a D and I am honored to keep them forever. I will never sell them. They are priceless. They are her legacy.

But what she really gave me went far beyond the clay, it was her spirit, her encouragement, her unwavering support. In every diffuser, I feel her belief in me and in the power of small acts of kindness to transform a day.

Keeping Her Spirit Alive

Every time I place one of her clay diffusers in a room or in my car, it carries not only the soothing aroma of essential oils but also the memory of her kindness and the inspiration of her creativity. In honoring her, I’ve learned to carry her legacy forward, by giving to others, by supporting them the way she supported me, and by creating moments of beauty and care in everyday life. Cancer may have taken her physical presence, but it could never touch her spirit.

The greatest gifts are not measured by size or number. They are measured by the love they carry, the comfort they bring, and the way they continue to keep a soul alive. My friend gave me that gift—and it will remain with me forever.

Today I am continuing her legacy through a colaboration with another friend Anissa

I am grateful to work together on aromatic clay diffusers with the very talented ceramic artist Anissa Marie. As Anissa was moved by the memory of a beloved colleague, she chose to honor Dominique's life and spirit by shaping an Angel from clay.

The clay, once formless, now stands as a testament to how art can preserve love and memory, offering both comfort and a quiet reminder that while a person may pass, the essence of who they were continues to inspire and live on through the hands of others.

In many ways, she reminds me of my friend Dominique: gentle, kind, creative, intelligent, attentive, strong, empathetic.

A love affair between ceramics and aromatics

Pairing aromatherapy with ceramics creates a beautiful harmony between artistry and wellness. By adding dropper bottles of essential oils or natural perfumes to aromatic clay diffusers, the ceramic piece transforms into both a visual and sensory experience. The porous surface of the Ranger clay gently absorbs the oils, releasing their fragrance slowly and consistently, while the handcrafted ceramic design adds an aesthetic presence to any space.

Perfectly sized to pair with your aromatic clay diffuser, these glass dropper bottles make refreshing your diffuser simple and precise. Compact, durable, and easy to use, ideal for travel, sampling, or gifting with your favorite essential oil blends.

It is time4selflove (website: time4selflove.com)

Together with my husband Serge, we poured our hearts into building time4selflove, a small but meaningful space where creativity and care came together through aromatic products. Each diffuser, oil, and blend was more than just an item, it was a reminder to slow down, to breathe, and to honor the little rituals of selflove. What made it so special was that we built it side by side, encouraging each other’s ideas and weaving love into everything we created. For us, time4selflove was never just about products, it was about sharing a piece of ourselves with others, offering comfort, beauty, and a gentle reminder that self-love is the foundation of healing.

Forever with us, you are so missed!!!

June 1st 2023 in her studio "D"

Made by Dominique in her studio "D" (2023) Honored to be continuing our project here in SC

Ode to friendship: A tribute to Dominique from one Pottery artist to another. Made by Anissa Marie (2025)