I had several best friends when I was a child. But they came, and went, as we went through our various classes and grades; schools, from public to exclusive private schools.
I got married at 16. Not because I "had to", but because I had to get away from my family. I didn't understand the turmoil my mother was going through, and unfortunately, she did not speak of it. So, at 16 I married. He joined the military the following year, and both of our lives changed forever because of it.
I followed my husband from post to post. And it was a grand adventure! In 1978, I discovered I was pregnant at the end of the summer. He was transferred to Germany at that time. My Doctor adised me not to fly at the time, and it was decided to wait until after the birth of our first child, and he was about 6-months old, and then it should be fine for me to take us flying to Germany. It was a plan; and se stuck to the plan.
In my very first week in Germany, I met Lynda Bruno. She should have had a dozen babies! She was such an "Earth Mother". She gravitated to the little babies! And she did the same with my 6-month old son. She and I became fast friends! We told each other everything! Since November 1979, we were within constant contact with each other! If we weren't on the phone, we were face to face! In the latter years, we didn't get together as often, but we wrote long letters, and sent emails daily.
On December ,2020, Lynda suffered a stroke, and was hospitalized. She never got to go home. After the first of the year, they decided to send her to a reabilitation facility for physical and occupational therapies. She was by then alert, and could at times communicate with "yes" and "no" answers. Because of COVID-19, she was allowed no visitors. I was beside myself, and her sister made sure I knew everything that was going on. I was so crushed when I learned Lynda had pneumonia. It progressed very quickly. With time running out, Lynda's Mom and sister were granted a short time in the room with Lynda, but couldn't really touch her, although they talked to her, she was not responding. The physician told them it was just a matter of time.
On January 21, 2021, I received the message that Lynda had gone on to be with the Lord. I cried so much, I bet a could have filled a quart jar. I continue to cry just about daily. Lynda was my constand contact. And the sister God had given me when my family was thousands of miles away! Losing Lynda has been as hard on me emotionally, physically, as when I lost my dear Mom in 2015. Different kind of love for those two ladies, but it ran just as deep for one, as it did for the other.
Isn't God wonderful? He gives us what we need, just when we need it.
I will ever be thankful for Lynda in my life! She cooled my hot temper. She talked me down. She loved me unconditionally. She was my sister from God. I guess I knew nearly every secret she had, and she knew mine. I can only say, with a full heart, that I loved her dearly. And now, I miss her so, damn... there goes another tear.
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