It has surely been a long break since my last blog entry. Life has been flying by as we traveled and the memories have already begun to fade away. My initial reason for creating this blog was to keep our friends and family in touch with us while we were on the road. Once I started it and looked back upon the entries I wrote, I realized I'm writing and documenting our lives and it's as much for George and I so we don't forget the important where's, what's and why's.
As I begin to transfer my thoughts into words, I needed to start with a blog dedicated to two very different and memorable moments of the year 2021.
 |
| Nancy and James Soutar (notice small hand by mommy's waist) |
As soon as we arrived in late May, we had just enough time to attend the June 3rd wedding of George's niece. It was held in a beautiful barn and was a lovely event. Every detail was planned and carried out to perfection. She made a beautiful bride and the groom was just as handsome. Such a nice beginning to our stay at Croton-Point-Park.
The month of June was also one filled with the minutiae of life: hair cuts, manicures, doctor appointments and such. I complained about little things and got caught up in mindless details, but that came to a halt when I learned that a dear friend of mine, Laurie, had little time left after being diagnosed with Glioblastoma, an inoperable cancerous tumor located in her brain stem. I no sooner was settled into Croton when I received the sad news of her passing.
The colors of life took on a different perspective and time seemed to be moving in slow motion. It is a hard pill to swallow when this happens to someone so young, full of life, so vibrant and giving. The thing that gave me comfort was the fact that I told her exactly what I thought of her while she was alive.
I told her I respected her opinion. We were co-presidents of the Hendrick Hudson Educational Secretaries Association and together we often needed to present information to our group. Between the two of us over a cup of tea, we were able to express our opinions and come up with just the right thing to say and how to say it superbly. She gave me the courage to stand up and speak out loud to our group, something that I had always been petrified to do most of my life.
I told her I admired her ability to speak so eloquently in front of a group of strangers. I had a talent for writing and Laurie had no fear of addressing a group of strangers. So while Co-Presidents, she read the strong, controversial statement I wrote to the School Administration and the Board of Education. I will forever remember the one word in the document that she kept getting hung up on - "misnomer." She had me re-write that sentence and it became our private joke.
I often reminded her that she was my hero. She never swayed from doing what she set her mind to, like learning how to ride a Hog when she turned 50.
Nothing stopped Laurie. I admired her so much for that fearlessness and strength. All the strength in the world, though, could not compete with such a deadly and debilitating cancer. It would need to be something this strong to take her down.
Recently retired, she was looking forward to the completed upgrades on her beloved townhome in the Outer Banks of North Carolina where she planned to spend her summers with her soulmate, Bill. George and I had spent a weekend there years ago and it is a slice of heaven that will be missing an angel, but will gain the laughter of her grandchildren.
It took the difficulty of verbal communication to lead her to the deadly diagnosis of Glioblastoma. She fought with debilitating chemotherapy until the end, for her family, thus continuing to make her my hero.
Before her fight was over, her friends got together and formed a parade that drove past her home. It consisted of Buchanan Fire Trucks, Emergency Vehicles, a Rescue Vehicle, a Police Car and dozens upon dozens of friends in trucks and cars.
Her front porch was overflowing with her loving family, and I knew, while driving by, waving and hollering her name, that she had already been robbed of her knowledge of those of us who drove past. The parade was more for the family and those of us who gathered to see her once more. A few days later, she quietly passed on and a bright, new light now illuminates the sky.
 |
| Blue and silver balloons on the Jeep. |
So I end this blog entry with two dedications. One to the newly married couple. That their love and commitment last for a lifetime and their family grows closer with each and every day.
The other dedication is to Laurie Small, my co-worker, my friend, my hero - I will miss you.
Thought for the day: Daylight brings forth a new day, new possibilities and new opportunities to be the best "you." Sunset brings an end to the day. May all your "daylights" be spent being the kind of person for how you would like to be remembered in your "sunset." ~ vc
