Since I’m old enough to remember when The Beatles came to the US on the Mayflower, I’ve been able to witness some of the circle of life in action. This has become true not just for my immediate family, but also for others who are near and dear to me. Babies are born; grow up, and some of them also have babies. Older folks grow older, watch babies grow up, and eventually leave for the Great Beyond.
My Beautiful Girlfriend and I have been blessed with Beautiful Children, and our Beautiful Daughter and her Wonderful Hubby have two Beautiful Children. Our Beautiful Son has no kids yet, but one never knows what the future may bring. We also have many Beautiful Friends; some younger than us, some older. And some, of course, have left for that Great Beyond.
Several years ago, one of my Very Favorite Friends was there for me in a time of need. Back in 1989 I underwent a rather drastic life change: I received a Gift of Desperation. My use of alcohol and other drugs had given rise to a dark chasm that separated my Mr. Know It All mind from my soul. I had finally reached a point where I knew I needed help; and this Favorite Friend was there to help me along with unconditional love. She, along with many other Favorite Friends like her, shared their experience, strength, and hope with me and expected nothing in return. They loved me until I was able to love myself; and gave me the courage to embark upon a most rewarding journey toward the amazing life I enjoy today.
As time marched on, My Beautiful Girlfriend and I became very good friends with this Favorite Friend and her Beautiful Spouse. In a way, they were “friends with benefits,” and no, I do NOT mean there was ever any monkey business!! No, the benefits this Beautiful Couple gave us were their unconditional love and support.
We were given an immense honor and privilege recently. This Beautiful Couple we know and love embarked on a very difficult journey this past month; and we were fortunate enough to share our experience, strength and hope with them during the trip. Both members of this Beautiful Couple are older than us; and unfortunately the elder of the two has had health problems for several years now. In spite of these issues, she persevered with great tenacity; but eventually she needed constant care and was admitted to a local nursing home.
After two weeks she was getting somewhat “settled in;” but on the 15th day she was rushed to the hospital with a severe stroke. Things progressed rapidly toward Hospice, and she was admitted to a local Hospice home the day after stroke occurred. “There’s more than one way to get out of a nursing home,” one of our other Beautiful Friends exclaimed. My Beautiful Girlfriend and I, along with an army of Beautiful Friends, did what we could to help this Beautiful Couple weather the storm. Our Beautiful Friend’s Beautiful Nieces came and sat by her side for what seemed like days on end.
This Amazing Woman had touched many lives, and there were very many others who, like me, had received guidance and inspiration from her. Once the shock wore off, her Beautiful Spouse gave the green light for visitors. A steady stream of other Beautiful Friends came, and paid their respects to this Beautiful Couple.
As the medications took hold, our Beautiful Friend’s agitation waned; and after seven days she completed the journey to the Other Side. Her Beautiful Spouse made note of the various physical changes, with which my Beautiful Girlfriend and I were familiar. Eleven years before we had a similar experience with my Aunt; and we had the honor and privilege of helping her die at home. So although the inevitable was on the horizon, it was unsettling to say the least. By helping out and staying close, our army of Beautiful Friends and we were able to give back some of the support and love this Beautiful Couple had given to all of us so freely.
We believe that our Beautiful Friend is at peace now. She no longer has to struggle with the challenges of a body that refuses to play nicely. The amazing people at Hospice helped her become comfortable with medications and top notch care. On the other hand, we who have to remain here without her will cry and have an ache in our hearts for some time yet. We’ll help each other grieve, and we’ll keep her legacy alive with our memories and stories.
I personally believe she is enjoying the company of many other Beautiful Friends who left for the Other Side before her. I take comfort in the belief that when it’s my turn, my family members, our Beautiful Friend, and other Beautiful Friends will be there to welcome me. In the meantime, I’ll be sad that she’s not around; but I’ll be eternally grateful the Creators presented the opportunity for our spirits to bond in such a loving way.
OK… so enough with the sad stuff. One of the delights about friendship is knowing someone, right? And because of this, I know that our Beautiful Friend would not want us to wallow in sadness… at least not for very long. So here I want to share one of the many little somethings that made us all laugh on “Movie Night.”
So as Mr. Cleese would put it, “and now for something completely different.”