Moving on with my life and doing ok.
Relatives can be chancy, Friends you choose, Old Friends you cherish.
I can't be funny today, my heart hurts with thoughts of the loss a year ago of a friend. Time has gone by but there is not a day that I don't think of her. Pat has left me and all those who loved her with wonderful memories of her wit, her great smile, her joy of planning and the funniest stories ever told.
We were a group of 5 women who had known each other for over 35 years. We raised our children together, were there for each other when our children married and when our parents died. We went on vacations together and met each other monthly for a Ladies Night Out. Once or twice a year we invited our hubbies and that was fun also, but the friendship of women is something special. We talked about everything and when one of us was having problems, we were all there to console and somehow at the end of the day or evening, we would all be laughing. We were five very different people, me being the most intense, yet they put up with me and loved me anyway. Pat was non-judgemental, seldom got into any deep political/religious conversations, loved to talk about her family (always a funny story), and enjoyed living in her hometown and knowing almost everyone. This was not to say she wasn't spirited; she was adventurous, she was a planner, she was our leader! We depended upon her to find fun things for us to do and she never let us down. The times when I laughed the most was when I was with my friends on an outing orchestrated by Pat. I miss that so much.
Life goes on but it is changed. It has been deminished because we no longer have Pat to talk to, to laugh with and to have as a friend. Our monthly Ladies Night Out has become semi-annual, when one of us pushes to have one. Yes, time does heal somewhat and now the holes in our hearts have been filled with the memories of all the good times, fun and laughter that we shared together. The Fab Five, as we called ourselves, will go on as our friendships have no ending. It will always be Pat, Barbara, Kathy, Herta and Arleen. My life has been blessed.
Relatives can be chancy, Friends you choose, Old Friends you cherish.
I can't be funny today, my heart hurts with thoughts of the loss a year ago of a friend. Time has gone by but there is not a day that I don't think of her. Pat has left me and all those who loved her with wonderful memories of her wit, her great smile, her joy of planning and the funniest stories ever told.
We were a group of 5 women who had known each other for over 35 years. We raised our children together, were there for each other when our children married and when our parents died. We went on vacations together and met each other monthly for a Ladies Night Out. Once or twice a year we invited our hubbies and that was fun also, but the friendship of women is something special. We talked about everything and when one of us was having problems, we were all there to console and somehow at the end of the day or evening, we would all be laughing. We were five very different people, me being the most intense, yet they put up with me and loved me anyway. Pat was non-judgemental, seldom got into any deep political/religious conversations, loved to talk about her family (always a funny story), and enjoyed living in her hometown and knowing almost everyone. This was not to say she wasn't spirited; she was adventurous, she was a planner, she was our leader! We depended upon her to find fun things for us to do and she never let us down. The times when I laughed the most was when I was with my friends on an outing orchestrated by Pat. I miss that so much.
Life goes on but it is changed. It has been deminished because we no longer have Pat to talk to, to laugh with and to have as a friend. Our monthly Ladies Night Out has become semi-annual, when one of us pushes to have one. Yes, time does heal somewhat and now the holes in our hearts have been filled with the memories of all the good times, fun and laughter that we shared together. The Fab Five, as we called ourselves, will go on as our friendships have no ending. It will always be Pat, Barbara, Kathy, Herta and Arleen. My life has been blessed.
That is lovely, Arleen. Thank you for that special tribute on this day, especially. I think about her every day, too...not too much, because it's too hard, and hard to smile yet when I think of her. Waiting for the day when I can belly laugh about something she did, and not even realize that she's no longer with us. But, I know in my heart that I WILL see her again. It will be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteThat is lovely, Arleen. Thank you for that special tribute on this day, especially. I think about her every day, too...not too much, because it's too hard, and hard to smile yet when I think of her. Waiting for the day when I can belly laugh about something she did, and not even realize that she's no longer with us. But, I know in my heart that I WILL see her again. It will be wonderful!
ReplyDeleteHow very nice Arlene...I am happy you had such a good friend....that was a blessing.
Susufish said:
I only wish I could have been there to share in the good times with you all...........
I think of our crazy fun times we had in the 3 short years we lived there. Time has flown but have never forgotten nor had as much fun with neighbors since ...
Arlene - that was beautiful, you are a very special friend. I saw Bob last night and he said that some of you visited the Good Shepherd Mausoleum yesterday; thanks to all for remembering. I was there on Thursday for a few thoughts and prayers. I bought a dozen beautiful roses in remembrance and, as you can't leave live flowers there, I brought them home. It's really hard to believe that a year has gone by.
Jim
I join with you in commiserating the lost a loved one. It is like looking at your garden and feel something is missing. Sometimes you can plant something else, but none will ever be as beautiful. It is good to celebrate remembering the good times.
Love,
Kathy
Beautiful. Gina
That is very touching. Toni
Arleen, what a beautiful tribute to friendship and life. It is amazing how quickly life can change. It is so important to let the people in our lives know how much they mean to us. You have been blessed to have such great people in your life. Enjoy your days!!!
Gayle
Pat was truly blessed, as you all were, to experience the wonderful friendship that you all shared. Everyone should be so fortunate. The world would be a much better place. Arlene, you have a beautiful way with words, and of expressing yourself, keep up the writing. You're a natural. Lynn
ReplyDeleteIt still hurts so much!
ReplyDelete