I can't believe it's been almost a year since I posted anything, aghagh!!!! Gotta fix it! A lot has happened in that year in my life and the lives of those around me. In that time I've lost 4 people who have played a huge part in my life, another friend is almost brain dead from a massive aneurysm she suffered in CA while driving her big rig with her husband.
The first death was Father Ashley, an Anglican Priest who had the biggest heart, the most fabulous sense of humor, and Leukemia. He fought for so many years to beat it, it just pushed right back and would sneak around and run in the side door. Father Ashley was a Royal Marine before becoming a priest, he served the Queen! He left my son his side-arm, and me a beautiful glass paper weight in the shape of an egg with red and white swirls. He said it should have been cracked because it sure reminded him of me!
The second death was a life lost way too young. A former Boy Scout and Cub Scout of mine, he went to school with my son, they were in band together, they were good friends. Sam left work early not feeling well and while driving over the mountain fell asleep at the wheel and hit another truck head on. He was crushed to death instantly as his small truck violently introduced itself to much larger cousin. Sam was a late in life baby for my friend Debi, and this has just destroyed a piece of her, it went to the grave with her son.
The next death was my Great Aunt Norma, 94 years on this Earth, wow! She died suddenly, in her sleep, 2 days after her daughter married a handsome Italian and moved to London. With her passing only one member of my dear Grandfather's generation remains: Great Aunt Allie, and she is 97.
The latest loss is Marcie, 48. We have known each other since I was in 4th grade and she was in 5th. We absolutely hated each other most of the time when we were younger. We shared a horse trailer going from rodeo to rodeo, competing against each other and sometimes with her on MY spare horse! Less than a year ago she was diagnosed with cancer, she fought so hard, and she blew up like a balloon doing it. It won, but not without a helluva of fight. Goodnight Marcie, no more midnight rides for us.
My friend Lilly, just around 50, had a massive aneurysm blow up in her brain while she and her husband Charlie were in Los Angeles, CA. She went into a medically induced coma after surgery to let her brain heal, but no,, it got an infection and every time they tried to bring her out of the coma she seized. They've said there is no chance, so her husband after several months is trying to bring her home to NM for care. He's lost his truck, her truck, their semi, almost everything while trying to care for her, be at the hospital, and still make enough runs to keep the insurance up and the bills paid. While she has been in the hospital, her old dog whom she worried about so much lost his fight and passed away not long after her incident. So when she goes, he will meet her at the Rainbow Bridge to help her cross over. That makes me feel better.
My dear nephew Ricky is at Sigonela Navel Air Station in Cicily right now, I was happy he got to go until this mess in Libya happened. I miss him. Chelle, the youngest grandchild of my parents graduates this year, next month in fact. I can't believe she's 18. Eric the middle child of my brother moved in with his girlfriend and her parents, and my own son has moved in with friends in El Paso. It's the first time I've been alone since I married his dad in 1988, it feels odd, but it feels great! I love him and always will, but he's got some maturing to do now, and a lot of growing up.
I'll pause now, I have a lot more to say, so it won't be a year this time, I promise!
