I’ve had the most emotional day today, and it’s only 3:00 in the afternoon.
First, we went to the funeral. It was held in a lovely, humble little church. I’ve always felt some affinity with this church, even though I’m not a church-goer. It’s a downtown church that reaches out to street people, and it always has interesting or inspirational quotes in a little box out front. Right now it says “The three most important phrases in any family are “I love you,” “You are beautiful,” and “Please forgive me.”
The service was lovely. There was harp music so sweet it would have made me cry even if I wasn’t at a funeral. My friend wrote and delivered a deeply moving eulogy for his sister, focusing on good memories like their shared childhood language, and her personal qualities, such as her creativity and her spirituality, and the way she could communicate with children and the fact that she collected stray cats. I cried.
Afterwards, GC and I stopped into Irene’s for a bite to eat, and I was suddenly and unexpectedly reunited with a very, very dear friend whom I hadn’t seen for many years. We were best friends for 15 years, but our friendship ended because of depression. She moved away and severed all ties. There’s more to it than that, but I can’t really go into it, and besides, that’s what it all boils down to anyway. Depression.
The friendship may have been over, but I never stopped loving her all these years.
Anyway, GC and I were drinking coffee in Irene’s, and then John – my son’s father – came over and said “You’ll never guess who’s out back on the patio.”
So we went out there, and there she was, looking exactly like I remembered her. She stood up and we hugged each other really tight for a long time and we both cried. And then we all sat down at another table and spent an hour or two drinking beer and eating burgers and talking. It was as if ten years hadn’t gone by at all. It was as if no time had gone by.
We’re going for dim sum tomorrow, a whole gang of us. I hate dim sum, but I’m really looking forward to it.
I am so glad that you two found each other again after all these years…I always wondered how she was. I hope that you will be able to keep the friendship fire burning. Sometimes it takes a couple of false starts before the flame re-ignites.
You and I have another relationship that took a few turns at the pilot light to keep the the flame burning, but I think that it was worth the effort.
Give her a hug for me and let her know I have been thinking about her and hoping that she was well.
I’m sorry for your loss.
Mental illness is so difficult on those around. I’m glad you reconnected.
Give her a hug from me too … I always liked her.
I live right across the street from that church, and the quotes they put up (in both official languages!) are always fantastic and inspiring.
Lord, I will lift mine eyes to the hills, knowing my help is coming from you. Your peace you give me, in times of the storm….