Today

Yesterday was a bad day.

Today may have been a little worse but they are both over.  Now it's time to clean up what we can.

A wonderful woman, and friend, lost her battle with cancer today.  My heart breaks a little more every time I think about it.  That's the nature of losing loved ones. 


Two years ago I took myself on a little road trip adventure.  A friend had moved 500 miles south and I decided to go for a visit.  My week long trip turned into ten days and ten days turned into two weeks before I finally headed north again.  I stopped in College Park, MD to visit my cousins on my way home.  Many a get-away was spent in their cute little house on the dead end street a stones throw from the college campus.  I would sleep on the daybed that was as soft as clouds and smelled like fresh linen.  We would drink coffee lazily in the morning and venture out into the world around noon.  I adored those visits.

This particular trip found me arriving at their door after 8 hours in the car.  No surprise with DC traffic and an accidentally missed exit taking me through the center of the city.  Still, I felt rejuvenated after the vacation and car ride.  I washed up and took my prim and proper little cousin to a biker bar.

I had a few other friends in the area as well and tried making my rounds as often as possible when in town.  We met up with one friend at the bar.  It was one of his favorite watering holes.  There was live music that night and a 16 year old kid from France visiting and sitting in on guitar.  I was told on more than one occasion that I had to hear this kid play. 

Immediately after walking into the bar, a delightful 73 year old biker turned and catcalled ever so politely. My friend laughed and introduced me to Papi, one of his riding buddies.  Sweet and funny and just wanting some company.  "Not THAT kind of company," he said.  Just someone to talk to and go out and eat with.  Because I was "just so pretty and nice and laidback." 

His wife had passed 8 months prior and he just didn't want to go on living without her.  But "the good Lord obviously isn't ready to let me go," so he needed to "make the most of biding my time until I can be with her again." 

My cousin was smitten and certain I should befriend Papi and go on great adventures together.  We listened to music, drank a few beers, ate some food, and had a good time.  At the end of the night he showed us his bike.  "The Cadillac" of trikes, fully loaded and beautiful.  Next time I was in town I was to let him know and we'd go for a ride.

I never made it back for that visit.  Several months ago I got the news that he had passed.  He was finally back with his wife.  He was finally at peace and happy again. 

Today's passing was a much younger woman.  One no one was ready to say goodbye to.  I've known her for 34 years.  I've gone through school with her kids and as an adult worked with her and her kids in various projects putting on shows at our local schools and in a charity organization. 

She was always there with a smile, a hug, a little silk rose before opening night.  We'd go out for drinks after shows or just hang out at the pool.  She was a beautiful woman who left an impact on everyone who knew her.  She suffered immensely this past year.  I will miss her greatly but am happy she is no longer in pain.

We nearly also saw the end to something else less human but with a life of it's own this weekend.  Tongues can be sharp when paired with thoughtlessness.  Allow ego and self centeredness to join in and you have a perfect storm.  I can't say we all made it out of this one unscathed but we are out of it.  Commitments will be fulfilled.  Then things can end on our terms. 

Wouldn't it be nice if all things could end on our own terms?