My friend Lori is dying. I have not been the friend she deserves. But, I love her and she knows that. I wasn't always there when she needed someone, but I was there sometimes. But I have always known that if I needed her, she would come running. And, I hope she knows that about me as well.
We met so many years ago, back in the 80's. Another lifetime and life story for both of us. We both lost valuable people in our lives during those times, but because we are both strong women, we moved on with our lives. Was it for the better? We will never know, but we have been happy and content. Both of us.
Through the years we have stayed in touch and see each other from time to time, always glad to see one another. We even went a few years of Shorter College together. That was fun too. It was a good choice for both of us and helped us support ourselves as single women. We were there for one another then.
Then we moved on after Shorter. We would talk time to time. We share a mutual friend, Ken. We would all share lives through each other. Both friends I love dearly but do not see day to day. Both are struggling with what life deals us. Getting old brings on stuff. Stuff we aren't so happy to be involved with, but stuff we must deal with. I am beginning to see that our friends have been in our lives for a purpose. I am sorry that wisdom comes with years. I wish that wisdom had come to me so many years ago. I would have been a better friend. I would have let random things not matter so much and love people that needed me to love them more. I would have told my friends I love them more. I would have "been there" more.
Lori told me yesterday that she wondered why God had not taken her right after her surgery, she did not feel like she had made much difference since the surgery. I wanted to stand up and shout, "But Lori, you have." She has taught me how to trust God with every second of my life, to put my life in His hands daily and to know that there will only be a "transition" from this life to the next. She shared a letter someone had written her about how much she had meant to their life, it awakened me to know I was failing in so many areas that I need to be more involved with. She has gone out of her way to be a part of her family. She is always there for them and they her. I have learned so much watching her live this last part of her life.
Lori is a Special person. She has never been selfish, always giving to others. She has cared for people she loves and people of people she loves. She has always been a servant. She put herself last on Earth, but she will be first in Heaven. I am excited for her during this transition. She will meet so many loved ones when she closes her eyes here on Earth. I pray she has many days, months or even years left here, but that is selfish on my part. I know she is excited to see her son, her mom and dad, and her brother. I know they are all so anxious to see her too. So many people will be lost when she is gone. They will realize what a special person she is and be sad that she is not here.
The really good part and the part she needs to know is that she is not dying, she is living. She is showing us all how to live, and to live trusting God. I feel privileged to have her as a friend. A real friend. I will never forget her, never. Thank you Lori for your friendship and all that you mean to me and so many others. You have no idea how much you mean to me. Thank you, girlfriend.
P.S. I did not mean to steal your glasses. I will bring them back to you.
Karen
We met so many years ago, back in the 80's. Another lifetime and life story for both of us. We both lost valuable people in our lives during those times, but because we are both strong women, we moved on with our lives. Was it for the better? We will never know, but we have been happy and content. Both of us.
Through the years we have stayed in touch and see each other from time to time, always glad to see one another. We even went a few years of Shorter College together. That was fun too. It was a good choice for both of us and helped us support ourselves as single women. We were there for one another then.
Then we moved on after Shorter. We would talk time to time. We share a mutual friend, Ken. We would all share lives through each other. Both friends I love dearly but do not see day to day. Both are struggling with what life deals us. Getting old brings on stuff. Stuff we aren't so happy to be involved with, but stuff we must deal with. I am beginning to see that our friends have been in our lives for a purpose. I am sorry that wisdom comes with years. I wish that wisdom had come to me so many years ago. I would have been a better friend. I would have let random things not matter so much and love people that needed me to love them more. I would have told my friends I love them more. I would have "been there" more.
Lori told me yesterday that she wondered why God had not taken her right after her surgery, she did not feel like she had made much difference since the surgery. I wanted to stand up and shout, "But Lori, you have." She has taught me how to trust God with every second of my life, to put my life in His hands daily and to know that there will only be a "transition" from this life to the next. She shared a letter someone had written her about how much she had meant to their life, it awakened me to know I was failing in so many areas that I need to be more involved with. She has gone out of her way to be a part of her family. She is always there for them and they her. I have learned so much watching her live this last part of her life.
Lori is a Special person. She has never been selfish, always giving to others. She has cared for people she loves and people of people she loves. She has always been a servant. She put herself last on Earth, but she will be first in Heaven. I am excited for her during this transition. She will meet so many loved ones when she closes her eyes here on Earth. I pray she has many days, months or even years left here, but that is selfish on my part. I know she is excited to see her son, her mom and dad, and her brother. I know they are all so anxious to see her too. So many people will be lost when she is gone. They will realize what a special person she is and be sad that she is not here.
The really good part and the part she needs to know is that she is not dying, she is living. She is showing us all how to live, and to live trusting God. I feel privileged to have her as a friend. A real friend. I will never forget her, never. Thank you Lori for your friendship and all that you mean to me and so many others. You have no idea how much you mean to me. Thank you, girlfriend.
P.S. I did not mean to steal your glasses. I will bring them back to you.
Karen
