When I was growing up, there was an elderly widow woman who
lived next to us. When I say, next to us, it’s only in the broadest sense of
the term, because we lived in the country, but we could see her house from our
front porch.
In the Summer, I would hotfoot it down to Miss Nora’s house,
barefoot on asphalt, and sit and eat ice cream with her and listen to the
wisdom of age. She was a lovely woman with red hair and twinkling blue eyes. I
asked her once why she had never remarried and she said, “because I never found
anyone who made me a better person.”
As I get older, I find myself more in tune with the here and
now, more aware of the fragility of our human being and more conscious of my
presence and actions. I have gravitated to Miss Nora’s wisdom, not just in
spouses, but in my friendships as well.
My beautiful sister passed away yesterday. She and I had
become very close over the last few years, and we chatted on messenger every
week, either just the two of us or with her daughter, and always ended with our last words: “love
you.”
Elaine made me a much better person and I am grateful for
that.
When I published my last book, Stars at Night, I dedicated
it to her and meant every word.
For Elaine.
Surrogate mother,
therapist, friend, and the best sister a girl could ever have.
Pinky swear.
Rest in Peace Elaine,
until I see you again.
Dear Sherri, I am so sorryo to learn of Elaine’s passing. Bless you, my friend. You made me a better person. Love you, Carolyn
ReplyDeleteI'm so very sorry for your loss. Even with the memories, it's a sad and empty place.
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