This page is different from all the rest. This is about a friend who has passed away and I can't seem to let her go. By doing this page, I am hoping that it will give me this opportunity. This IS my special place.
I have to explain something to you first that will help you understand why. My dad was in the military, (if you or your family was or is then you will understand this). All my life I have had to say goodbye to friends and it got to where it really didn't mean anything after a while. It was so easy to say goodbye. I really haven't had that much experience with death either. The closest one to me that passed away was my Step-grandmother. That was at a very early age to where I didn't understand it then. I had a friend die in high school and I broke down at his funeral but that was totally different from this.
I came to North Carolina in 1989. I started my job at a supermarket where I met Linda in 1991. She was in the Cheese Shop. She was a great worker. She loved working there. We became friends so fast. She was like that. At first we were just friends. I worked at that store for 6 months and I asked for a transfer and got it. I was asked to help out in that store from time to time and there was Linda telling me to come back. I finally did when I heard that they were hiring a full time person soon. When I got back, that is when we spent most of our time together. Linda invited me to her home and do you know she and her family accepted mine right away. It was like we were family right from the start. We, of course, talked about everything. You know, like men? Linda was the type to listen to every word you had to say and make you feel so important. She cleaned her house while I was there or always doing something but proved that she was listening all the time. I can't say that I have been that attentive to her all the time. I have tried to be there, but it seemed like my PROBLEMS were worse. I am truly ashamed of that. Linda always wanted a convertible. That was her dream. She quit in 1993 and got her convertible. We went to a co-workers wedding. We drove up there with the top up but you bet when the wedding was over we sure had it down. She loved that car. Then came Jasmine, her granddaughter. Linda took care of that baby. She wasn't just grandma but mom also. Linda was a deep loving kind of person. She loved everyone. She may have had some enemies but I really didn't know it. We spent our Christmas' together every year. She made sure she had a gift for everyone under that tree.
Linda had a stroke in 1998. It was the first of 3. I went to see her in the hospital (45 minutes away) as often as I could. When she got out, I went to visit her at home. Linda jumped right back. She went to therapy and was doing so good. The following year, my daughter said that she was getting married in 2 months. Linda did cakes. Victoria wanted Linda and I to do her wedding cake. Linda was sooooo excited about it. While making plans for her wedding cake, Linda took a turn for the worst. She had stroke # 2. I went to the hospital this time and I guess I saw death already and wasn't ready for it. I began to cry. I couldn't hold it back. I tried, because I went to be there for her. After I left, a bestfriend of hers went to see her. (Another Linda and co-worker). Linda R. (the one in the hospital) told Linda F.(the co-worker) that I cried. I went back to see Linda with Linda F. this time. When I got there, Linda R. was herself. Making jokes as usual and of course, making me laugh. She got out of the hospital 2 days later. She still wasn't up to being herself totally.
My daughter's wedding was coming up soon by now. Linda wanted to know what to get her and right at the moment our supermarket had a deal on 8 piece dinner settings. That was her gift to Victoria. The last time I saw Linda was when her sister brought her into the supermarket. She came back to my area and we spent quite a bit of time together. I did not have one customer while she was in that store.
Victoria's wedding has arrived, there was no Linda.
After the wedding we were taking pictures and Donnie (Linda's boyfriend) came in. Victoria ran to him and gave him a beautiful big hug. He told her that Linda really wanted to be there but she wasn't feeling good. I cried.
The day after the wedding, Victoria and her new husband were driving to California for their honeymoon. Alot happened in the days to follow. I was at the hospital because my dog bit someone and saw Donnie there. He said that they were doing some test on Linda. The very next day, I lost my dog (the pound took him away). The next day, Linda passed away. Her heart exploded. I found out later that her last words were "Don't let me die". Linda didn't like the hospital that she was being transported to. I think she was trying to say "Don't let me die at the hospital". But then who knows. I also found out that when she was coming in to see me in the supermarket, she told her sister that she wanted to let me know that my department stinks. You see, I am a seafood manager. I went to her funeral, then to the burial site. After all was done I got back into the car and Linda F. said something that I now believe. She said, "Cathy, Linda was given a second chance to say goodbye." I guess that is what has kept me going all this time. It is now September 25th, 2000. Linda passed away July 27th, 1999.
Linda, this is to you. You never got to go to the wedding so I am bringing it to you.
These are pictures of Victoria's family. Dusty and Victoria have a new addition. They have legal guardianship of Jordan. They got her when she was 7 months old and she is now 1 year old. She is a true jewel. She has accepted us just as you have. Unconditionally.
Linda, here of some more pictures of our beautiful addition. She is 15 months in these.
Linda, over the past year, I have been putting this off. I couldn't seem to say goodbye to you, but then it came to me, I didn't need to say goodbye. I just have to let you go so God can have you do HIS work. This is truly the hardest thing that I have ever done. You mean the world to me and I thank you for showing me what true friendship means. I miss you. I know that this is not the best way to handle things, but I had to do this. I couldn't find the right words to say to you until now. Maybe I still can't. You put me in your life as a family member and that was truly awesome to me. You put my family in too. We have always had good times together. I will see you when it is my turn. I love you with all my heart.
Look, Linda. We received an award. Isn't it beautiful? This is from a member of "Blooming Friends". I have friends that the Lord has sent me. I feel like you had a little help in that. Thank you.
An Angel's Prayer
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