Sunday, July 22, 2012

First Tears (6)

Somehow through this process I've been able to avoid tears. I've been generally too busy and very focused on helping the kids be okay through these changes. I've had a few moments of terror, but even when saying my goodbyes to close friends I've not let myself actually think about how different three times zones will make to our times together.


But today in church as everyone was saying goodbyes, I looked up and saw Shirley, busily serving on the altar guild and doing her job. Shirley is someone I don't know well, but yet I do. I know she is a tough lady, with some great stories that I haven't had time to hear yet.  She is old enough to be my grandmother and I've always thought of her as the kind of person I want to be when I'm her age. Mainly, because of the twinkle in her eye.  She sparkles life.


So when I saw her, the grief just hit in a wave. I burst into tears and she said the right things and I found the tissue box. I don't have time to really think through what I'm leaving. But today, I wished I knew a few more of the stories of a great lady from Butte, Montana, who has touched my life.

1 comment:

Anonymous said...

My parents were from Butte, my uncle was a well-known judge there, my aunt a nurse.
I did pretty good re:tears. I loved it that you said something like see you the next time as we both pretended you weren't moving so far away. You will never be far from my thoughts and never far at all from my prayers for you and the family.
Judy