A Death in the Family

The woman in the middle was my best friend for nearly 57 years. We weren't related, but she was the closest thing I've had to a sister and so I've claimed her for myself.  She was only 14 years older than I, and when we moved to a house next door to her family when I was 13, I became the babysitter of choice for her two sons, ages 2 1/2 and 5. She soon became invaluable to me in matters concerning boyfriends, clothes, friends and advice pertaining to the follies and foibles of teenage girls. I could tell her anything (unlike my mom) and she never judged me or made me feel stupid or shallow. She was incredibly nice; lending me dresses, jewelry and shoes for fancy dances.

After college, I moved out of state, and her family moved to another part of town. She and my mom lost track of each other after a few years, and I only saw her once from 1967 to 1982. I missed her, of course, but my first child was born in 1966 and her third came just the year before, so we were both very busy. Fast forward to 1982:  we had just moved into the house where we now live. My younger daughter was begging to be taken to a local mall to meet some friends and their mother, and I really didn't want to leave the house, as I was busy unpacking boxes and trying to get organized. Finally, she wore me down and we got in the car to go to the mall. I parked  at the door where she was to meet her friends and I  was reading a book to pass the time until they arrived. I looked up and saw my old friend and her husband pass in front of the car and I was so surprised to see them here in Raleigh that I could hardly speak. (As you know, that doesn't happen often!) Finally, I got the wherewithal to speak and I opened the door and yelled....."CAM!" They turned and saw me and I know they were just as surprised as I was. The baby girl they had in 1965 was in Raleigh to attend college; they had just dropped her off for orientation and were going to the mall to shop. We had dinner with them that night and that cemented the friendship that had started back in 1953. Over the last 29 years, we have seen each other at least 2-3 times each year. She was widowed five or six years ago.  This last year, her health had been declining, so she wasn't traveling much. I called her last Sunday and we both said how sorry we are that we can't get together as often as we used to. Even though her health had been bad, she had a good attitude about it and was determined to get back to a point where she could jump in the car and drive the 320 miles to Raleigh any time she wanted. I doubted that would happen. I had plans to go and see her in May, or June at the latest. My husband told me to go in March, but the weather had been so bad that I didn't want to take the chance of driving in snow and ice. I am so sorry now that I didn't take his advice.

I will be working for the next three days and then I am leaving to attend the funeral. I probably won't post much before next week.