A dear friend passed away unexpectedly last night. I am stunned and in disbelief. I go to the keyboard to process my feelings. She would understand. That was her gift.
We grew up together in a small close knit community. My dad and her mom were co-workers for a time. We parted ways as life would have it. The last time I saw her was at a funeral where we stayed behind after the Rosary to catch up. Just like time had stopped and never separated us. Our connections remained despite changes in geography. We planned many a time to get together but something usually intervened. I always knew that through the miracle of technology, she was never more than a click away.
I have extracted two years worth of texts and FB messages onto a 50 page Word document. I wanted to keep something tangible. I may even turn our conversations into a new category – Quotes from Cat. My wise sweet friend. Gone too soon.
What’d we ever do before Internet? Get in the horse and buggy and go to the annual barn dance? I only partially joke. Say what you will about privacy but I for one am forever grateful social media exists even though it does not replace a phone call or face to face.
She was one of my first followers on the blog. Directly via Word Press too, not just through FB sharing. She encouraged me to keep on writing and keep on smiling. She had this innate ability to know when I most needed a friend and she’d pop up on messenger with impeccable timing. “You’re on my mind” she’d write. And I’d feel her warmth and caring. This is her last note to me:
Thank you so much for sharing the stories. Beautiful. Isn’t it amazing how things work out for the best? Love you. Even if life keeps us from seeing each other for years our common beginnings keep us “family”
Not going with my usual sign off. I need a break from the MORE that is inevitably to come. Not to be too preachy but oh what the hell. I am going to testify. Stop whatever fool thing is preventing you from having a life worth living. Pay it forward! Hug your loved ones and never be the first to let go. Tell the people in your life what they mean to you while they are still around to hear it.
J-Dub's Grin and Bear It 