Wednesday, December 19, 2007

Remembrance...


Why is it the week before Christmas is so difficult? Just when you think you've got all your ducks in a row...this has been a REALLY crappy week for me.


I want to share with you something, and I hope we can all learn from it, I know I have. I write this with tear filled eyes...


I know a couple of you out there who knows exactly what I'm saying~~~You know there are people you immediately connect with...those who maybe you've never met (yet) but through emails and an occasional phone conversation you feel as though you've known each other forever! Or, in this case, one of those neighbors who touched your heart from the moment they moved into the neighborhood.


I've lived in my house just over 22 years, so many of my neighbors are those "long term" neighbors, in other words we've known each other for years and years. They've watched my kids grow up, especially DD. Now, we don't have "block parties" or any sort of neighborhood get togethers but we do stop to "chat over the fence" so to speak.


I lost one of those dear neighbors yesterday...


You know, sometimes...you just have that feeling? On my walk yesterday, I walked by her house...feeling heavy hearted. I wanted to stop...I wanted to knock on her door, just to say hello and can I do anything for ya? I had a feeling something wasn't right.


We often either began our evening walks chatting or ended our walks chatting, she had a bum knee and I walk a little to fast for her. Back in the Spring she battled cancer and won, only to have it return in August. She had a VERY positive outlook but knew the chemo was going to do it's thing to her body. I started a chemo cap for her...I just didn't get it finished~~I'm heartbroken...should I finish it? I just don't know...

Because of her positive attitude I thought for sure she would beat it again.


She and her hubby had no two legged children, only fur-babies. Their beloved dachshunds...Max passed away last year but Maggie is a young pup who is going to miss her greatly, as we all will. I'm very saddened by this news...it's hit me harder than I thought it would. My regret is that I never "knocked" on her door...

If you give to Charity during the Holiday Season and you just haven't chosen your charity yet...please think about giving to one of Adele's favorite Charities in her honor...

St. Francis of Assisi Service Dogs, the American Cancer Society or to Good Samaritan Hospice


You're going to be missed...A LOT!


20 comments:

Unknown said...

I'm so sorry you lost your friend. Maybe the hat could be finished in her honor and go to someone who doesn't have a knitting friend - a friend you haven't met yet.

Sue J. said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your neighbor. A long time ago, I vowed never to miss an opportunity to tell someone how much they mean to me. I did this after the loss of the best teacher I every had. I never said thank you. I agree. Finish the chemo cap and give it to someone in her honor. I know how you are feeling. But it's not too late.

Cass said...

Oh Robin. What a touching post. I'm so sorry.

St. Francis of Assisi Service Dogs is indeed a fine organization to support. I've done so myself.

{{{{big hugs}}}}

Marianne said...

oh, I'm so sorry, holding you close.
Regrets? We all have some, be kind to yourself about this, she knows.

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry. Very sorry. Be gentle with yourself. I'm sure she knows you are/were a wonderful, warm, compassionate neighbor.

GREAT charities there. I don't know that we'll be able to do another donation before year's end, but we do a service dog donation once in a while, and I'll see that we do in early 2008!

Big hugs, and snuggles from Mugsy and Sissy.

Carole Knits said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend.

Pam! said...

I'm so sorry Robin. I'll be thinking about you and sending up a prayer for Adele. I too think you should finish that cap and donate it to someone else going through chemo. After reading about her it sure seems like something she would appreciate being done in her honor.

Wendy said...

Adele sounds like she was a wonderful woman who touched the lives of so many. You should feel blessed to have known her. I'm sorry for your loss.

Anonymous said...

Oh Sweetie! Remember to smile and know that Adele will still walk with you.

Mary said...

So sorry for the loss of your neighbor and friend. Here's hoping that remembering happy times will comfort you. And know that she is now, finally and forever, without pain.

Dianne said...

Robin,
I am so sorry for your loss..I read her obit in the paper today..what an amazing lady she was..I know you will sorely miss her but don't torture yourself with those 'if I had'..they only hurt YOU..she does know you were thinking of her in a special way..huge hugs Robin

Diana said...

I'm very sorry for your loss of a good friend. It's difficult no matter how old we are or whatever the circmstances. I too ost a friend 2 weeks ago that wan't even 40 years old yet. She was so sick for 2 years. I've kept her 2 sons many times while she was in the hospital in Richmond and again now as their dad tries to find a job with hours to work around the kids.
It's a tough time in our life when this will unfortunately happen to us again. Heaven is the only redeeming thing about it!

Becky G said...

I am so sorry for your loss. I agree with those who encouraged you to finish the hat. When I lost my nephew, I was only 3 rows away from finishing his afghan. My first though was to leave it incomplete, like his little life was. But in the middle of the night, I got up and finished it (couldn't sleep) and sent it to his mother anyway. It was very healing for both of us.

lemmie said...

Robin, I'm so sorry for the loss of a friend and neighbor! :(

Birdsong said...

Oh robin, I DO know... I am so sorry for you and the rest of her family and friends. Some years just can't have the same shine, but do know your friends will be thinking of you with kind hearts.

sophanne said...

Just another blog-friend sharing your sad with you.

gourdongirl said...

Oh Robin, my heart goes out to you, please pass my condolences on to her family.

{{{HUGS}}}

Opal said...

Heartfelt condolensces to you and Adele's family. She sounds like she was a really special lady.

Terri said...

Robin I'm really sad for you and sorry to hear that you've lost your neighbour and friend. I know it's hard to feel grateful right now, but try to celebrate what a wonderful friend and neighbour she was and how lucky you were to know her. And might I say, how lucky she was to know you too. I've been trying to email you all morning, but my internet connection is receiving but not sending. Hugs.

Margaret said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your dear friend! Do finish the hat as a remembrance, and as others have said, there may be someone who needs it with no one to knit for them.