Today I said goodbye to a dear lady friend who had been our neighbor on the other side of our duplex for 30 years or so. She has been sick for the last year. So it wasn't unexpected and some would say it was a blessing but my heart is breaking, has been since she left us on the evening of Christmas. She and her husband moved in when I was 12, before them there was a family with two young boys who became pals. So when they moved out and Helinka and Eddie moved in there were mighty big shoes to fill. But they won us right over with neat stories to tell,awesome potatoe salad to eat on Sundays and good company on the porchswing on hot summer nights. When my brother died in '92 they were a rock for me and when her husband Eddie died a few years later I tried to do the same for her. Well, thanks for listening folks. Cherish your friends and neighbors. The great ones are hard to find.

Lee ann, as sad as this time is, just remember, "when one door closes, another one opens" Or is it a window opens? , anyway, you get my point.

Lee ann, a big hug is being sent your way. I changed my signature a while back as it really said how I feel about my friends.... Cherish the memories... soon you will smile again.

"Stay true to your friends cause they'll save you in the end." ........ Sam Roberts

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Stay true to you're friends, cause they'll save you in the end.

Knowing someone is a wonderful thing and even in memory I'm reminded of the old adage..."May the hinges of friendship never grow rusty."

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"Damn New Yorkers....They think they own the bloody world" - *Dan

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Where my designer B*tches at?

MAGNETS....COWS....HERD....it all makes sense now?

There's nothing worse than driving in a snowstorm with a GPS that's on the rag

Do you take PAYPAL?

Your post touched me, Lee Ann, as I also was in need of a hug last night. Two of our little patients at work are not doing very well & I was looking after one of them last night. Her parents made the decision yesterday to let her go without any heroics (compassionate care only) so it was a very difficult shift. So your friend Helinka will soon have another little girl to tell stories to as they rock on that heavenly swing. I don't know if this helps any but it's the only thing that ever helps me; knowing that somewhere there is a little angel that is no longer suffering.

"...but the moments that shine are so hard to find."

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" The power of gift is the beauty of choice" Off The Wall 2006

FDB, I truly admire you for what you do.

"Stay true to your friends cause they'll save you in the end." ........ Sam Roberts

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Stay true to you're friends, cause they'll save you in the end.

Your post touched me as well, lee ann. Sorry to hear about your neighbour. I'm sure it was a blessing to know her, though...hang onto that blessing. Memories always live on as long as we hold them dearly in our heart.

Come to think of it, I wouldn't mind a bit of a group hug myself, as I barely got any sleep last night and have been semi-comatose all day. My cold is driving me nucking futs right now...just in time for New Years, too

"And all the demons are saints, and the saints I'll never trust..."

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~ ...and all the demons are saints, and the saints I'll never trust...~ Blue Rodeo - "Graveyard"

~...Had a dream where everybody looked like someone else, and the farthest I could get from was the closest to myself...~ Men Without Hats - "Sideways"

Lee ann, I re read your post and I'm so clueless! I thought your neighbour was moving away! So sorry if my post was a little cavalier. I will wake up soon! Very sorry about your friend.

Very sorry to hear that lee ann. And to FDB, I couldn't do what you do, it takes a very special person.

LeeAnn...

I'm very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend & neighbor... The good news is, you get to keep her memory alive in your mind & heart. I wish you the best for the new year....

Dan/

Lee Ann my heart grieves for your loss.

I went through a very similar situation about 2 months ago when a great man who moved in next to my family 30 years ago passed away. Like you it was somewhat expected but that does little to temper the loss when it finally comes.

"'I will not say: do not weep; for not all tears are an evil'" - JRR Tolkien

Consider yourself hugged.

Beware the irresistible path of least resistance

Thanks everyone for your kind words, I knew I came to the right place for a hug!

sorry for your loss Lee Ann. 2 friends of mine from work lost their mothers just before the holidays. One was sick and it was expected and yes a blessing as she was going to be free of all her pain. Another was a complete surprise, not at all sick and a big shock to the family. What a horrible time of year to go through all of this.



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My condolences on your loss, Lee Ann. Having lost my mother a few years ago, I can honestly say that the pain is replaced by warm memories and loving thoughts.

lee ann, thanks for sharing your sad feelings over Helinka dying, but the happy part of the story is how much your friendship must have meant to her and helped her.