The Messy Bits

 We all know that life is uncertain. We just choose not to think about it. Yesterday, that truth was shoved in my face again. I was boarding a flight from Indianapolis to Phoenix when my cell phone rang. It was a call from a stranger telling me that a friend of mine had been found dead in her home, apparently from a stroke.
Her name was Linda. Linda and I have a long history. I met her when we worked together in the same ICU in Houston. She dated my husbands best friend for awhile. She moved to Austin. I moved to Phoenix. We never lost touch. Every time we spoke it was as if time had not passed and we were on the same page. We weathered divorces, we both remarried, and we had children. She had one, my godchild, Carmen. She became a widow, way too young. Life went on. She had an aneurysm, but recovered. Life was good. Our keeping in touch became sporadic, but we never let too much time pass without talking or emailing to each other.
Two weeks ago, she called me. We talked a little, and she was having a hard time with her memory.I guess the stroke was near. I will miss her. She was a part of my life and a part of my history. My memories of her are good ones and happy ones. There will be no service. There will be no eulogy.  This is my tribute to her.
Again, a reminder to us all to hug the ones you love. Call the ones you cannot hug. Forgive stupidity and craziness.
I was watching a movie on the plane. One of the characters said that life is made up of the messy bits. I guess this is just one more of those bits! Until we meet again, my dear friend.

                                                  Linda and Carmen