I've been thinking about this day all month just like I do every year, and can't believe how fast the years have past. The sweet little blonde haired boy who was three then is now 10 and every time I see him, I cry because I wish his mommy could see what a fine, young handsome boy he's grown into.
We were cousins, best friends, the sisters that neither of us had. In a world of brothers and "boy stuff", we were each other's escape, playing house together, making big plans for the future. We were going to marry brothers and live next door to each other just like we did then. Our little girls would play together just like we did.
We were born six weeks apart - actually we were supposed to be closer than that, but she came early and I was late - so we were literally best friends from birth. Maybe longer, actually, because our mothers were so close. So we probably were friends even when we were in the womb.
In April, 2001, my paternal grandmother passed away on Easter Sunday, and the next day my divorce was finalized. It was a difficult week to say the least. I took a trip by myself to Charleston that weekend. I found out she was there, too, with her husband, son and parents (my aunt and uncle). We spent some time together. It's probably the most precious time I've ever spent with anyone. She had so many health problems, but she was more concerned about me. That's just the kind of person she was.
In July of that year, we were supposed to go to a Braves game together. She ended up getting sick and had to go to the hospital for a few days. I went to visit her and she apologized for not being able to go to the game. "It's okay," I told her. "We'll go later. The season is not over." I wish we'd have gotten that chance.
Seven years ago today, her pain and physical ailments ended. It wasn't the way we wanted it to happen, but she was healed and happy just the same.
I miss her on those days that I would have called her or gone to see her. When something exciting happens that I want to share. When I'm heartbroken and need her comfort. She was everything a best friend is supposed to be. Nobody will ever replace her.
One of the things I remember most about that trip to Charleston was when we were downtown at night and she was going to go with me back to where we parked the cars. It was a bit of a walk and she saw one of those three-wheeled carts that the guys drive people around in and thought it would be fun to take one back to the parking lot. "I'll pay!" she said.
We got in the back of that thing and he took off! We laughed so hard we could barely breathe. That's one of the sweetest memories I have of the two of us together. I can almost hear her laughing now.
I miss you, Stacy. I love you. I can't wait to see you again.
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3 comments:
I think this belongs in frame hanging from a wall of greatness. You two always made life better for the rest of us. I think even my friendship with Shane began with you and Stacy. I miss her so much. I think life has been missing something since she left. Thank you for being the sister she never had. I think I would have become her "dress-up" friend had you not been there. Lord, think of all the therapy I missed out on. Anyway, miss you and love you. Its so good to know you are there. Even when I am not.
Thanks, Brent! I cried the whole time I was typing that. She definitely left a void that will never be filled, but one day, the family circle will be together again.
I miss y'all so much. We had a lot of great memories growing up together. Love you, too!
This was awesome to read. She was such an awesome person and always such a good role model for us younger girls. Yall's entire family meant so much to me growing up. Your grandparents were always so good to Carla, Brian, and I. I am blessed to have lived beside them the years that I did.
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