Tuesday, January 20, 2009

More than a feeling... (with apologies to Boston)

Hey folks,
Hope your week is going decent. Me, I'm feeling better after a rough start to the week. One of my co-workers passed away suddenly and another co-worker ended up in the ICU with Lord only knows what. But she is now out of ICU so that's good, but still... Not a good start to the day, week or anything... I was bumming a little bit. Bev was a very cool lady. She was tough as nails if she had to be, but she also had a very warm soft spot that made her so endearing to people. She was suffering from the ravages of cancer and we knew it was going to eventually happen. But we were thinking in another year perhaps. She called work on Saturday night to talk to some of the folks that were there and she was laughing it up with them. On Sunday night, she felt short of breath, her daughter asked Bev if she wanted her to call for help. Bev said 'no' and closed her eyes and that was it. Bev would come in to work and she didn't like sports as much as I did, but she did love baseball. Atlanta was her team and every once in a while she'd go down and catch a game. She would also give me a word each week out of the dictionary to use on my sports show. Sometimes a tough word, sometimes a whacked out word. Her family was her passion and she loved them dearly. It's times like these that make me so grateful that despite the trials and tribulations that we have from time to time, I still have family to love. My parents are up in heaven, but I've still got some siblings and nephews, etc... I've learned to appreciate that regardless of the make-up of family, whether it's blood related, or if you're alone with only a couple of close friends, as much as I used to be a loner, I now know that we weren't meant to go through life by ourselves. I did for most of my life, but by choice. I didn't let people get remotely close to me for most of my adult life. Not till the last eight years. Dumb move on my part. But now with God in my life, and an inspiring gal pal to touch my heart, I've found more happiness in the last 2 years than I have in the previous, well... ever... That's because I've allowed myself to feel more of what goes on around me. There was once a time where sadly, Bev's passing would've not even phased me. But I thank God, that over the last few years, I've learned that it's not about me. It's about serving others and my faith in my Creator. That has allowed a bright light to shine in this once cold heart and say g'bye to my friend Bev with sadness. But also a sense of gratitude. A thanks for having gotten to know her and know about her family. Things I used to take for granted. Not any more. God Bless ya Bev...

5 comments:

Unknown said...

I love you baby :)

Maggs said...

How much longer until you marry this woman?! I keep reading, waiting for that post.

I need to email you. Daughter is asking many questions about God that I just can't answer. : (

Maggs said...

Ps-hang in there, my friend.

And DO look me up next time you're down here.

Carolyn said...

I'm sorry about your co worker and friend Mik. I'm glad you're not a hermit anymore- I learned that too. It's painful to be close a lot of times, but more painful to be alone- I'm glad you have your girl to turn to and like your other blog friends, I can't wait until I see a post about her saying "YES"! ;-) God Bless and don't mind us busy bodies. You'll ask her when the time is right. Blessings to you Mik

Helen said...

I am so sorry about your friend a co-worker Mik. My prayers go out for her firends and family. May they all find peace and comfort through God's blessings. Helen