Earlier
today a member of our breezeway circle was laid to rest surrounded by a
very loving family. In a sense Lou and Aurea  represented those of us
who admired Carmen.

It was over 27 years ago that I made the decision that I would never again
go to a funeral, or memorial service, after attending that of my Aunt
Flo, the first person who gave, and showed, me unconditional love. I
knew that I wanted to remember her as she was and keep all those
memories to myself. Selfish? Sure, but I have never regretted it and I
came to believe that people I love who died became my angels and either
sat on or looked over my shoulder giving me that unconditional love no
matter what stupid things I may have done/do.

I may not attend your funeral and/or memorial but be assured that I will never forget you and will think of you often.

(John
was fooling around with my camera and took some pictures of the
'breezeway roundtable', as he calls it, though no pictures of him or me
and, of course, I said I wouldn't post the pictures so don't tell Dot,
Caroline, Lou or Harlen.)

Though I love living here at Gateway
the reality of old age, illness and death are always around. Just
recently Carmen died, there was talk of the plug being pulled on
Barbara's husband, Miguel, which means she will have to move into an
assisted living facility and Liz is recovering from having half of her
other lung removed--yes, she had half of her one lung removed awhile
back--and Bill is in rehab while Jerry had a heart attack.

Living
here you see how families treat their members--for instance, none of
Bill's sons have come to see him though he has been at death's door a
few times while Page moved here from California to be with her mother
and you will never find a more loving group of children, grandchildren
and great grandchildren than Carmen's brood. The thing is you won't know how your kids will react or be there, or not, when  you need them. Sorry, folks, it is not a given that your loving family will be there for you--I have seen too many turn their backs on their parents for whatever reason.

Not
that I am keeping count but in 28 hours and 16 minutes I will be
picking Allen up at the airport--I am really looking forward to having
Allen back but I'm not looking forward to not having his car 24/7. I
really can'tIF I want or need it without worrying that it won't be available. :O)
complain as I do
depend on him Wednesdays and Fridays to get errands done, go to movies,
etc., and Cookie is kind enough to let me use her car every Thursday
plus another day or two during the week when/if I need it. It's just
that I will miss the freedom of having a car available 24/7

I NEED TO WIN THE LOTTO OR SUPERBALL!!!