15
COM Outlook . Winter 2015
Because of Rose’s evangelical spirit
and
zest, I now know more about the Stations of
the Cross than I do about Passover (and I’m
Jewish and run our family’s Passover services).
Would you focus on her fabulous
love of teaching?
Where Dr. Foster has taught
and inspired
so many students in medicine, nursing, pub-
lic health, dental, and other health care fields.
Where she always pushed her students
to the maximum, along the lines of “good,
better, best—and never let it rest—until
your good becomes better and your better
becomes best.”
Would you focus on her love of cul-
ture, travel, and the vibrancy of life?
How Rose spent so many occasions
with
me in the Impressionist room at the National
Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., sitting
quietly and staring at Monet’s and Renoir’s
masterpieces for long stretches of time.
How she loved going to the National
Theater and the Kennedy Center in
Washington
, where she spent most of her
evenings after working so hard at meetings
and in Congress, truly loving their plays, mu-
sicals, symphonies, operas, and comedies.
Her sheer exhilaration, joy, and unfor-
gettable laughter
while letting loose and
having fun, be it drinking her beloved red
cabernet, dancing the Texas Two-Step at Billy
Bob’s in Fort Worth, or spinning out magical
winning rolls of the dice at Caesar’s Palace
in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Or her unique ability to so effortlessly
forge friendships
and have such camara-
derie and fun with the likes of stars such as
Placido Domingo and Michael Bolton.
Or her frequent trips to New York City
to visit her family, where she would also
get to exuberantly spend hours upon hours
walking the streets of the city, visiting its
museums and theaters, and picking up its
endless energy and vibes.
Or her love for her trips throughout
Europe
to provide academic programming
for health professionals and to learn about
other cultures.
Would you focus on her role as one
of the truly great role models for
young people?
On pursuing one’s education
to the maxi-
mum extent possible.
On conducting oneself
with class, dignity,
and grace at all times.
For Dr. Rosebud Foster’s role in inspiring
scores of women and minorities
to envi-
sion and then pursue advanced careers in the
health care field and in how to live one’s life
was truly awe-inspiring to all who admired,
loved, and respected her so very much.
From a young child
who was forced to
swim at segregated Miami beaches,
she
quickly blossomed into that beautiful and
brilliant Rose
, who broke through every
glass ceiling she ever faced and achieved
the top echelons of numerous academic and
community groups through her brilliance,
boundless energy, enthusiasm, and goodwill.
I suppose if those who knew her best had
but a brief moment, they would have to
focus on how Dr. Rosebud Foster made them
feel because everyone she ever came into
contact with wound up loving her, admir-
ing her, and wanting to be with and work
with her. Because Rose conducted herself in
a manner very similar to the famous Maya
Angelou quote, which she loved, that says,
“I’ve learned that people will forget what
you said, people will forget what you did,
but people will never forget how you made
them feel.” And, boy, did Rose make you
feel good when she graced your presence
with her brilliance, warmth, and radiance.
The truth is you can’t truly capture the full
essence of our dear Rose briefly—but you can
always remember her beautiful warmth, smile,
and extraordinary Rose Foster bear hugs and
how they always made you feel. So I would
suggest you can remember her, honor her,
and keep in your heart forever if you make
sure to give someone one of her special bear
hugs every day—and then this true rosebud
and wonderful angel will be with you forever.
