Well, praise God, the computer is working! Being human, I’d love to take credit but all I did was pray, a lot, and pull plugs and push buttons.
This will be a short post because I’m still up to my eyebrows dealing with estate, paperwork, corporations and people who want me to do something PDQ but when it’s me asking, I’m reminded of molasses in January. You’re as tired of hearing me say it as I am of saying it but…I’m exhausted and I’m only three months into this mess. How do people manage who have children, jobs, etc.? When do they cram in all that’s required when someone dies? I’m struggling and feel like I’m always slipping behind and never catching up. As I continue to struggle, the grief slips into the background until it will not be denied and then I’m a week, crawling on hands and knees again, just to survive. And so it goes.
The photo above is of my BFF, Sandra, who lives in Myrtle Beach. We’ve been friends for more than thirty years and are alike in so many ways. We share the same first name and the same middle initial; she’s a tad bit older than I and she’s ever so much more clever but we dearly love each other. I wish we could see each other more often but we make good use of the time we have together. Recently, I had business in MB and stayed with S2; we had such a good time. Dave would call me S1 and the other Sandra, S2 so the nicknames have stuck, at least with the two of us. It’s one of our Dave memories that we share and it helps bring healing. The best time, for me at least, was walking on the beach and, to commemorate the day, I asked a passerby to take our photo. The last holiday Dave and I had was at MB and FL; this visit with S2 was bittersweet but also cathartic. The day was perfect: sunny, a trifle warm and an ocean breeze; more good memories in the making; bless God for His healing mercies.
Did you know, in each state, there’s a department to find out if you have “lost property”? True. I’ve done a search in my MIL’s name, Dave’s name, my name, Daddy’s name…heck, even Dave’s first wife’s name! and found lost property for all! The paperwork is horrific but it’s my money and I want it; in Virginia you look here.
Are you familiar with “bundling”? That’s when your -hahaha…your, get it? it’s not yours, it’s theirs and they do all within their power to take and keep your money…especially if their name begins with V!- I mean, someone has to pay that CEO his $350 MILLION a year; as if he’s worth it, ya think? Not!
oh goodness. I think I fell off my bandwagon. ‘Scuse, please. Anyway, if the phone company wants you to bundle your telephone, i-net and television…DON’T DO IT! Why? Because, when one of the contracts comes up for renewal, they renew ALL the contracts and keep you in contract hades for the rest of your life; how nasty rude!
Did you see where Whitney Houston passed away? I always felt a kinship with her because her Mom is Gospel singer Cissy Houston -absolutely LOVE Cissy and her amazing voice- and raised Whitney in a Pentecostal Holiness church. We share similar beginnings as my maternal Grandfather was a Pentecostal Holiness preacher. He was a circuit rider preacher and would take me with him to his little country churches, a different one each Sunday. In good times, he’d be paid with a ham at Christmas and during lean times, a dozen eggs. The offering plate never held much money but the garden produce was always lavish in the summer and the love of his congregations always in evidence. You know, it’s silly, but when Whitney wasn’t doing so well, I cried buckets for that girl and prayed for her as well. Who knows what demons she couldn’t shake; what hell grabbed her and wouldn’t let go. My heart just breaks for her Mama and family.
Good news…Queen Elizabeth, age 85, celebrates sixty years on the throne this year; 60 years, can you imagine! She’s been Queen since 6 February 1952, longer than I’ve been alive and in a quote released from Buckingham Palace said, “I hope that we will all be reminded of the power of togetherness and
the convening strength of family, friendship and good neighborliness,
examples of which I have been fortunate to see throughout my reign.” She’s such an amazing role model and it always bothers me when people make fun of her; rudeness always offends and, fortunately, when it’s on television, I can click the offenders out of hearing and sight. God save, and bless, the Queen!
My short break is over; it’s back to paperwork I must go. As Elisabeth Elliott said, “you are loved with an everlasting love and underneath are the everlasting arms.”
Blessings ~ love ~ friendship ~ duty ~ service ~ family ~ faith ~
Angora Amora says
I have had your blog saved to my favorites for some time now. Seeing your picture, my jaw dropped. We look a lot alike. I also felt like you and prayed for Whitney Houston.
Also…agree with your comments on greif.
May the Lord continue to strengthen you…and when you dont' feel strong, may His presence be near you.
God Bless,
Rebecca
GLENDA CHILDERS says
I love seeing this picture of you and your other Sandra friend. You, S1, are so adorable.
This is a great post … I have been away and have missed knowing how you are doing.
Fondly,
Glenda
Sandy says
Sorry for your loss, take each day as it comes, you'll make it.
Rounding today from Bridge and Beyond to say hi, see what folks are up to, and to make sure all the good folks who've donated know about the contest.
Nice to see you posting again, sorry.
Deborah Ann says
Which one are is you?
My friend's husband and mom died in the same week. That was a month ago, and she is swamped with paperwork still. I don't 'do' paperwork, so I'm not sure how I would manage.
I continue to pray for you, and think of you so often…
Lady Jane says
You sound great and I love the picture of s1 and s2. I have a BFF and love the daylites out of her. Checked out the lost property in my state a few years ago and alas no luck there, lol… Dont forget to take those breaks and post now. LJ
Sally says
Wonderful photo!
One of my bff's lives in MB also. I need to go visit, and walk on that beach. 🙂
Anonymous says
So glad you're up and running! Love your S1 and S2 designations… sweet!
myletterstoemily says
i'm so happy you're back and that you had a lovely time with S2. which one is you in the pic?
so sorry this estate mess is tangling around your ankles along with your terrible grief. one day at a time.
did you see queen elizabeth's Christmas address? so
inspiring to hear her say The name.
blessings,
lea
(GBS) NewsFromTheHill says
There's something so special about a best girlfriend! Glad you got to get away for a while and could combine business with friendship!
KathyB. says
That is a wonderful photo of you Sandra, and I am glad you're back!
Oh the frustrations of being given the run-around from corporations that advertise themselves as the company for you… and all the rigamarole involved during a distressing time just stinks.
Love the quote by Elisabeth Elliot.
dori says
This is a very lovely photo of you and your friend!
Deborah says
Welcome back! That's a great picture. Myrtle Beach is where I vacationed as a child.
Donna S. says
Aww, so glad you got to take a little trip & visit with your friend. I'm sure it was good for you.
Kathy says
There's not much a good walk on the beach won't cure! You look amazing and I need a favor from you when you are "caught up"…if that's ever possible…
Would you re-send your last email to me? My inbox dropped everything before I got a chance to answer your questions.
Blessings, K
Whimsey Creations says
It's always nice to have a BFF – they seem to understand things when no one else does. You look wonderful and I'm glad you had that visit. It was sad about Whitney – she had such a beautiful voice. Hugs to you!
Karen says
Love that picture of you!… and Myrtle Beach.. would be nice to go there for a little bit right about now..lol..
Happy Love day to you – this was a fun post, thank yoU!
Lynne says
I am happy you could walk the beach and enjoy fresh ocean air and "sister " love . . . Great news indeed!
Timi says
Oh, I like that photo very much!!!
I am so glad you could visit your friend and had great time together ♥!
I enjoy reading your posts :o)!
Leslie Shelor says
Glad you were able to spend such a healing time with your friend and that you had some time away from the paperwork and mess. Hope that's all out of the way soon.
Anonymous says
Lovely pictures Sandra. So nice to see you smiling with your BFF.
And so interesting to hear about your background.
Have a blessed day sister.
Star says
What a wonderful picture of the two of you. So nice to see you smiling. I know what you mean about the paperwork and the molasses. I've had my share of all of that too.
Cloudia says
lovely to see you!
Steady as you go-
Warm Aloha from Waikiki
Comfort Spiral
> < } } ( ° >
Sassafras and Winterberry says
What a beautiful picture of the two of you! I'm glad you had some quality best friend time. It's so healing! You sound good. I'm glad your computer glitches are better!
Hugs and blessings!
Courtney
Nezzy says
You look wonderful sweetie. I'm sure the break did ya good.
I'm so happy your heart is healin' and you were able to bask in fond memories.
God bless ya and have a beautiful week my friend!!! :o)
Anonymous says
Wonderful pic of you and your friend; I can almost feel the breeze! God bless you, dear friend. Harriet and I send our love!
Farm Girl says
The picture is beautiful, I am so glad you have a close friend like that. I am glad you are back. You know I don't know how people do it either. I don't think I ever thought about it until you said that. You know what I am going to do? I am going to look into all of this now so I will know what to do then. 🙂 My husband does all of the banking online, I don't even know the passwords.
Geez, I have turned into one of those women I always swore I wouldn't be, Time to wake up I think. Thanks for the prompt and you didn't even know that.
I am continuing to pray for you, you do sound better, even if you don't think so.
Susan says
Sandra, how lovely to see you with a smile and you sound like you slowly getting into a better place. Love that photo-nothing nicer thatn some time out with a dear friend. Good to see you're back posting. Blessings. Maa
Marydon says
And you look marvelous, S1. I am sure the break with S2 did you a world of good, lifts your spirit. Glad you are back, love that smile.
Whitney had the world at her finger tips, blessed by God with gifts we dream of … it is so sad.
Congrats! on the VA gift/money finds. We have it here in Md. also.
Happy Valentine's, sweet friend ~
TTFN ~
Hugs,
Marydon