So sad tonight..... (San Antonio, Center, Anton: how much, school, college)

[PopsGuysRule]

Okay, this doesn't really have anything to do directly with San Antonio - I hope the moderator doesnt want to delete it; I just needed to 'talk' and tell my 'forum friends' that I'm sad....
I had found an old Christmas card - I have no idea why it was where it was... but it was from a college friend (I was an "older" student, and there were four of us that ran together, all of us re-entry students, who happened to all run into each other at the same time in a "Women's Re-entry Center".....
For several years we would meet every summer for a brunch-reunion - we had such a special bond that I don't think I can really explain......
Even though it was several years old, I tried the email address that was in the greeting..... this was a few weeks ago at least....

Today, I heard back from her!!! But she has Lou Gehrigs disease now and is nearly completely paralyzed already. She spoke her response to me into her computer.... She is probably not going to live much longer....

and I am sooooo very sad..... She lives in So Calif, which is where I lived the majority of my life, and where we all went to college together at Calif State Univ at Long Beach....
Life just isn't fair at all sometimes......

[texasdreamin]

PGR, I'm so sorry about your friend and about your sadness. God works in mysterious ways, we all know that. Just maybe the card was there for you to find so that you can say good-bye to your special friend. Take this time to let her know how much you cherished your friendship and the memories of the good times that you all shared. You will always have your memories. I hope you feel better soon. Sending prayers and blessings to your friend.

[jobezee1]

Well, bless your heart. I don't really know what to say other than I sympathize. I too, find myself often reflecting on "the good 'ole days." I try not to do that very often as I have found that it tends to be self-defeating.

You're right about life just not being fair sometimes. You take the good with the bad I guess and try to make the best out of each and every single day, because one of these days will be your last. All we can do is try to console each other sometimes and keep on truckin'. This too shall pass.

[sapphire]

And not to give you false hope, but my ex brother-in-law has lived with Lou Gehrig's disease for about 16 years. He's been wheelchair-bound of course, but definitely alive. He even did artwork with his mouth on his computer. It was so sad--he had fathered his youngest daughter while still healthy and by the time she was born he was really sick.

We (I) need to count blessings, every day! I grumble about my 1/2 mile hike into work every morning--but thank God I have healthy legs to do it! I'll keep your friend and you in my prayers.

[PopsGuysRule]

You know, thank you for your sweet replies. They genuinely do help.

I sent her a note back and expressed my sadness, but also recalled to her all the wonderful times we had when we were all four still in school together, and then, for a few years afterward, the get-togethers, and laughs and losses, and just everything.....

We all, of course, went our separate ways and along the way, three of us lost track of Judy, one of our 'foursome'. No one has been able to track her down....

I told her if I were there, I'd crawl up alongside her in her bed, and hold her hand and tell funny stories in her ear...... (I was the 'class clown' in this fearless foursome!!)
I personally do reminisce, but I don't find it unhealthy; I find it uplifting, especially if the day or week or whatever time span is being difficult... I find it reassuring to recall all the love that has flowed through my life...
Thank you everyone of you for your prayers and good thoughts - it may seem like just words, but they really do help!!!!!

[PopsGuysRule]

Well, I received an email, via Margaret's email address.... but it was from her husband..... She passed away last week....
I feel kind of funny putting it on SA forum, but I know some of you will understand and I know some of you have experienced very much of the same......

My heart is broken, but I am joyful for the beautiful, artistic, loving, inventive, fun and funny soul that I was privileged to call my dear dear friend...

I'm not sure why the bond between us - well among all four of us really - was so strong and so deep.... I mean yes, we were all on the same path at Cal State Univ at Long Beach; that was FINALLY being able to go and complete our bachelors' degrees at a 'later' age (LOL), but there was oh so very very much more..... in particular, of the four of us, Margaret & I had the strongest bond of all and it was indefinable.... we treasured each other and we each felt it..... It is strange to be so sad after not seeing someone for so long anyway.... I imagine those of you who are military probably understand; you probably make strong connections with other folks and then one or both of you have to move on to other stations.... but the bond lives in your heart for a long long long time.....

Here is what her husband wrote in his email to her myriad of friends, admirers and lucky-ducks that had her in their lives:

"She died at home, as she wished, and her passing was
painless and gentle. Though we will miss her, her
physical condition had degenerated to a point where,
in her words, "I'm done. I've had enough of this
experience. There's nothing more for me to do. I'm
ready to go." She communicated this to me on Sunday,
just three days before her passing."

Sweet dreams, my dear friend..... say hi to Jesus for me, please......

[SnappyBob]

So sorry for your loss Pops. I, too, lost an old friend last week. My friend died of cancer. I don't know your age but I can tell you that as you get older these things come up more frequently. They are never easy and never welcome but it is part of life. When a valued friend dies their memories become invaluable. Hang in there, it gets better with time.

[martinez4]

Sorry about your news......sometimes there are friendships that can weather anything...even death. I am sure she is watching over you with love:-)

[PopsGuysRule]

ahh, snappy bob and martinez....
thank you ...

yes, the very fact that this dear person shared part of my life with me is in itself very very special....

no one can take our memories and our loves......

[jules07]

Oh Holly, I'm so sorry to hear of your loss. And don't feel weird at all that you still shared a strong bond, even after many years of seeing one another. There are some people that come into our lives, if even for a short period of time, like that. I'm happy for you to have had the time you did with your dear friend!