My friend died on Tuesday.
I almost want to leave this post there. In fact, I almost haven’t written this post for various reasons. But my friend was an avid reader of my blog, and I know she would tell me to write it.
My friend was a southern, tell-it-like-it-is, spunky, sassy kind of gal. She was one of those people that you felt you’d known for a lifetime after a five minute conversation. And she could tell a story. I could be having the worst day ever, and five minutes into a conversation, she’d have me laughing out loud and realizing that life isn’t so bad after all. But I can tell a story too. You put two story tellers together and we could talk and laugh for hours about our crazy families.
And her southern drawl. I could just listen to her talk forever.
My sweet friend has four children ranging in age from 13 to 3. Our children play together. We had a carpool in the works for our junior high kids for next school year. And then she had to go and die. I can almost hear her up in heaven proclaiming loudly, with her southern drawl, “What. The. Crap? I wasn’t done yet!”
For as much as she could tell a story about all the crazy things her kids did, she loved them fiercely. I appreciated how she understood that as much as your kids could drive you totally crazy, you would love them anyway despite themselves. I loved going to her house because she was so real. One time, I stopped by to borrow a movie and she had laundry on the couch and dirty dishes in the sink. When she told me not to mind her messy house, though she wasn’t really apologizing for it, I laughed and told her I felt totally at home. And I did too.
Baby boy’s wardrobe is almost entirely due to her. She was cleaning out her baby stuff and donated most of it to me. We sat in my living room one day while she showed me all the cute clothes and reminisced about her own baby boy who is now 3.
I have never had someone I was close to die. I have had grandparents die and even and aunt. And while I was sad, it was nothing like what I’ve experienced this week. They were either old or sick, and I was expecting it. This out of the blue thing sucks. Plus, it’s not like we are old. (Although my 12 year old doesn’t think I can remember all the way back to when I was 12.)
Every time I tear up, I start to think of her family and what THEY must be going through. They are constantly in my prayers. And while I know I will see my friend again, I’m a little ticked that I have to wait so long. (It better be a long time.) And I ache for her children. I want to hold them and hug them and tell them it will be ok.
But as another friend said, “She probably has them in stitches up there.” That’s just how she was and how she will be remembered. She was a light in my life and I’m grateful she was my friend.
Rest in peace, my sweet friend. I love ya!
And everybody else, go hug your family and tell your children you love them. You just never know.
Oh, I wish I could give you hug. I am so sorry for your friend’s dear children and for your loss too.
I keep thinking, “WHY?!” and then I was talking on the phone to my mom and I decided they must need a serious amount of sass up there for some big project. I’m sure after she got through giving them a tongue lashing she got to work as the project manager. She was so fabulous.
The “Why” of it has been so hard. And I can only imagine the tongue lashing she gave and I love picturing her has a project manager. She was truly fabulous.
I enjoyed reading about your friend. Big hugs and prayers for you.
Aw, Stacey, I’m sorry. Hope you and her other friends and family find peace in each other while you grieve and heal.
I’m missing her, too. I did a little yard work out front today and almost jumped when I hear a loud, female, Mississippi accent coming from their garage. Turned out to be a visiting family member, but it just reminded me how much I’m going to miss hearing her from across the way.
P.S. Holly is taking down names for Rob in regards to getting his kids to school. I’ll pass yours along, if that’s all right?
Yes. Please do. I am happy to help in any way I can.
Don’t hesitate to hug those children if you are so inspired. They are going to need lots of hugs.
I am so terribly sorry. I just saw a poster the other day which totally reiterates what you’re saying about you just never know. It said: What if when you woke up today with only the things you thanked God for yesterday? So sad, so very sad, big, big hugs!
I am so sorry. Losing someone too soon(It’s always too soon when you love someone.)is so hard. I’ll pray for you and your friend’s family. Losing a mom is a pain that stays your whole life. Twenty years from now, those kids will still hunger for stories of their mom. Since you can tell a story, be sure and share with them her kids. I still hang on little nuggets that people drop me about my mother. Kind of fills in the blanks of my memory. I’m sure those kids would appreciate you doing the same for them. So sorry for you loss!
I’m so,so sorry for your loss.
My husband’s best friend died about 4 years ago. He still communicates with his family very regularly. They have told us so many times how much they appreciate the communication. It also made us feel better and heal.
I pray for peace for you and will be praying for her family.
Thanks for sharing this post Stacey. I’ve been so sad. We are all going to miss her so much!
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