on a whole different note...

 ...my friend died yesterday.  She was a very special lady, she ran my water aerobics class.  When I joined, she made me feel more welcome there than I've ever felt anywhere, like she knew me forever.  She was one of a kind, with her aqua plastic bracelets and her swimming leggings in the pool.  She was the kind of woman who did for others.  She drove her grandchildren to school and to sports practices, and to the Dollar General to get snacks, with money she gave them.  She never missed their games, and she babysat whenever their parents asked her, which seemed like quite often.  She gave me a whole pile of dresses that she had made in her craft fair days, and when I told her how much my granddaughters liked them, she asked if I needed more, she could make them. (of course I told her no!) She was always making meals for people, and bringing cookies to her church, and donating aprons or mittens to someone or something.  She did summer bible school for her church kids, and she put on senior luncheons.  

She was funny and she could tell stories about her grandchildren without missing a beat, running that class.  She prayed for my sister, and asked her whole church to, as well.  She would make the class fly by with her musings, and we all adored her.  She had us going out to breakfast together on the first Wednesday of every month, had everyone's phone number, and made us all feel so...special.

She mentioned quite often during the summer and early fall how tired she was.  I thought it was almost a habit, and didn't think too much of it.  She said it after every class.  I'm just so tired.  Then in September she told me she might have cancer, and by October it was confirmed, and she let everyone know.  She wasn't able to come to the pool anymore, so her husband ran the class.  He kept us updated, and it wasn't good.  It spread and then the chemo didn't work, and she was tired and worn out, and she passed away.  

I knew it was coming, and it still hit me like a ton of bricks.  I'll never see her again, until I get to heaven that is.  She was so lively and fun and and good, and now she's gone.  

I didn't cry when I found out at the pool this morning.  I didn't cry when I went to town with Camille after class, to get a gallon of paint for the kitchen.  (More on THAT later!).  Then when Paul teased me about something and I got upset with him, then apologized and gave him a big hug, I burst into tears...I am crying again.  I miss her, and I will never forget her.  

I won't get into all the details of the dynamics of the class, but there are two classes that go on at the same time, and our class has gotten smaller and smaller.  Some go away for the winter, some have stopped coming for health reasons, and obviously her husband stopped coming last week as she got worse, and who knows when he'll be back.  So I have been going to the other class, a whole different group of women...it's different, but it's still a good workout.  When her husband comes back, I'll swim with him, he needs friends, and probably some of the others from our class will be back.  Either way, I'll get my exercise, but it'll never be the same without her.  

My kitchen project, The Thing With The Baskets, is done except for the handles, so I'll wait on the Before and After pictures.  It looks nice.  Camille and I picked out paint for the kitchen, Sherwin Williams is having 30% off, then I used a $10 off of $50 coupon . I think the color we (she) chose was Aged White?  I'm not even sure.  But it's a creamy-ish white, off white, not quite light beige.  Now, I like a hint of blue or green in my white, but I figured she's so set on this tone, and what goes together, and so willing to repaint, what does it matter?  It'll look fiiine.  We're not starting yet, we have to spackle and sand, prep the walls first.  But Paul's going ice fishing with some friends and son-in-laws and grandkids tomorrow, and Camille and I are babysitting for a little dog named Junie, who is Jon's fiancé 's pup, while they go to Ohio to some friends' wedding.  Then we're going to the symphony tomorrow night...so we won't be doing any painting or prepping this fine weekend.

Oh well, sorry for my laments and sad rambling, I grew so fond of her...when I found out she had cancer, I thought she'd just beat it, I never thought the last time I saw her would be the last time I saw her.  Hug your friends, and tell them how special they are, and your sister too, if you are so lucky to have one.  I have a very special one, the best sister in the world.  Hugs to you, Cheryl.  :). Thank you all for being my friends too.    Good night.