And Then There Were Four

Last year--as some may recall--I wrote an article entitled "Four Plus Two Equals Seventy". It was about my mother and the school chums who have been good friends for over 70 years. I wrote about how they have managed to stay in touch and even get together quite often since the 30's. They've witnessed births of children and grandchildren, deaths of all but one spouse and still are vital women. Women of age, if you will. Last year we saw how fire destroyed a lifetime of living and memories for one member of the group, who is now living in a retirement home in the west valley. Some of the mobile home community in which she lived have returned or soon will in brand new homes, but she will remain where she is.
Early this year, we lost our little gal seated in the picture. Rochelle went quietly and peacefully to join husband Harry. Rochelle did not have an easy life, but always made the best of things and was rarely seen without a smile on her face. Actually, she ended up being the hit of MY wedding reception. Go figure.
I received a call last evening from my mother, informing me of another tragic loss from the school chum group. After a rather brief illness, we've just lost Helen (standing...far left). Helen was the 'senior' member of the cast and crew and leaves behind two daughters, grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Daughter Marilyn is a good friend.
Helen and Rochelle will be missed by all....the members of the group, as well as the adult children of those ladies. I can still remember many gatherings at our house. The food, the laughter--all are with me in my head and in my heart. Those times may be gone and the visions a bit faded, but they're still there....at least in my mind.
We've watched and witnessed the deaths of the family patriarch's (only one husband remains) and now--as age and illness come visiting--we are slowly losing the group. There is a lot of truth to the saying that youth is wasted on the young. It's especially true as I have watched these ladies laugh and giggle like schoolgirls well into their upper years.
So now, as we bow our heads and bid a good-bye to the 'senior' member of the cast, we are reminded of how precious life really is and how valuable friendships can be. We watch as these healthy, vibrant women slowly decline and wither. It isn't an easy thing to watch, but it is all part of the cycle of life.
Rest in peace, Helen, and know that you will be missed by all. You will be with all in spirit.
----And then.....there were four.

Ever have one of those weeks

Ever have one of those days or perhaps one of those weeks where you just wish you could hit the infamous Ctrl + Alt + Del buttons and restart the entire thing? Well--that is just the kind of week I seem to be having. Only it started over the weekend. I should have known then that I was on my way to the depths of...
Sent a communication to somebody near and dear, in an attempt to explain some things. I may now be sorry because that person is now trying to hold me accountable for things I never knew I did...years ago! I should have known. Monday wasn't much better, as I managed to oversleep and miss an appointment. There is a message here--somewhere. Today was no different. Started off with traffic problems. What normally takes me twenty minutes took forty-five. Another message? Also had an invite of sorts to join friends for breakfast. Ever get the feeling that somebody in the group is doing little minute things just to get to you in a round about way? It's happened more than once, so...well... Exactly. Another message there, too.
From there, I had some business in another part of the valley...or so I thought. Like everything else this week, that fizzled out. So now I am at home where the only ones I need to answer to are my two cats who seem to enjoy fighting so that I will yell at them to stop.
Think I'll just go curl up in a fetal position and hide from the world for a while. No...not looking for pity. A hug, however, would be nice.
Hope YOU all have a better week.

Thanksgiving Reflections

I had an opportunity to be with some very dear and close friends last evening and now I'm sitting here and thinking about the upcoming events in what's left of 2009. We're always asked at this time of year what makes us thankful. At every Thanksgiving feast is the usual array of answers, which include good friends, family, etc. Thanksgiving usually means a day filled with football and FOOD! This year will be no different for most, but very different for those who have been directly affected by the current economic issues. Some find themselves wondering where the next meal will come from. Some worry about the swine flu thing and others just worry.
Like most others, I will find myself with family, pigging out on turkey and all that goes with the meal. I think my assignment is some sort of salad. No big problem there. I sit here now waiting for the washing machine to quit and wondering what else I should be doing that I am not.

It's a time to reflect a bit on the year and its ups and downs. Like most of you, I have seen my investments drop in value. I hear talk that the recession is "over". I find that rather difficult to believe. They claim home sales are up. Maybe so, but WHO is buying the homes? Most likely it is those who buy for speculative purposes. I'm reflecting on health issues right now, wondering about the swine flu, and also about the aging process and the problems that go with it. There are people I know well and some only in name who are suffering with illness. Some visible, and some not so on the surface. Some of these people who are in ill health are elderly and one not old at all, by today's standards. I keep thinking about these folks and the fact that we just NEVER know how much time we have and/or how our own health will continue or decline.
So am I thankful? Yes. I am thankful for this mess I need to clean up and I am thankful for the laundry being done at the moment. I have a roof over my head. For that I am also thankful. As most know, I am the president of my condo association. I'm thankful for that and its 'problems' , too. I am thankful for the great HOA board I get to interact with almost on a daily basis. All are intelligent people with much to offer.
Some of my mom's long time friends aren't too well these days and that makes me sad. It also makes me grateful to have a mother who does not look her age. She is a vibrant and intelligent human being with much to offer. My close friends (they are few) mean the world to me. These few know that they can call upon me at any time, and the same goes for me calling upon them. We are there for each other. Period. For that, I am extremely grateful.
So I guess this will be another Thanksgiving like most others except for the absence of those no longer with us. Life is so short. It's also quite unpredictable. So...keeping that thought in mind...remember....Life is uncertain, so EAT DESSERT FIRST! May you end up with the large part of the wishbone this year and may it work wonders for you. Happy Turkey Day, All.
Webpenguin

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