Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sweet friend Sandra ...ladies group

I am writing early.  Last night I got a telephone call that my dear friend from our Ladies Group of 21+ years died yesterday.  Sandra is the 2nd from left in the bottom row.  Life has been very hard for her in the last few years...

All of them were just here a few weeks ago to celebrate our 21st year as Ladies Group.  Sandra, Susan and I were the original members---starting because Susan wanted to have us come alongside Sandra who had been ill...just the beginnings of a life long, love of friendship of women.  I will miss my dear friend...all of us will...she was core.  She was writing the book of our friendship and love...

Sandra, you know now what we all wonder about...what is after this life...have you seen your dad who died recently...have you seen Sarah, others we love and have lost...what is the wonder of that journey after the last breath on this side....

I will miss you my dearest friend...you have been a strong source of strength for me through all these years when I could barely make it in the trials I have faced.  I remember so many times you would just pull in my drive to stop to check in on me and sit on the stoop and catch my tears...hold me and pray for me.

I can't believe it that you have slipped away...quietly, all alone last evening....
I just have no words yet.
We will all miss you so---we always wondered who of our group would go first, so now you have started the journey we will all follow someday. 

we love you, I love you.  I give tribute to you, my sweet friend and companion.  I will miss you so...the journey here will be more empty with you gone.  I long for heaven more and more....we were not made to bear death.  The sting and sorrow are too heavy for our small shoulders.  Yours were bent low these last months and now the load is gone.

I met with 2 of Sarah's friends just 2 nights ago with my sister and we listened to their tender and dear sorrow of the loss of their dear and precious friend Sarah.  We talked about how the journey of grief with loss of a friend is sometimes more silent and alone as resources are not many for support for that group.  I did not know how quickly I would have to eat those words and digest them for my own journey.  I am blessed to have all my sisters from our group to journey this loss with---bless her 2 sons who now will mourn their mom gone...and her frail mom who will miss her only daughter...  God keep them, help us support them too. 


Sweet Sandra....love you.