happy new year?

This is my Mama-Ann. when I was in 7th grade she moved into the house across the street with her husband, THREE BOYS and a little girl. Now, to a 7th grader, having THREE BOYS move across the street was pretty big news. Especially when they are pretty cute, and close to my age....one was two years older, one my age, and one a year younger...talk about a BUSY mom. Can you imagine THREE BOYS in 4 years? Then came little Sherrell Ann. She was not only the apple of her Daddy's eye, but also to her THREE BOYS. I grew to love this family as much as my own. During my terrible teenage years, Mama-Ann let me take refuge at her house a lot. She fed me a lot. She listened to me a lot. She trusted me, when not many grown-ups would. I loved her a lot.

Then when we were in our early 20s, her husband died. He was always fun and funny. I still picture him standing in the front yard watering the grass every afternoon. And cheating us at cards.

And her son Allen died. He was my age, early 30s. I didn't get to say goodbye. I decided to go to nursing school after his death. He is still in my heart today. Like a brother. He took me to one of my proms when I didn't have a date and we had a blast.

Now Mama-Ann has died after a long bout with lung cancer. I wrote her a goodbye letter. I learned from Allen to always tell people how you feel. I try not to wait until they are dying, but if I have the luxury of knowing someone is most likely going to die soon, I really try to tell them I love and appreciate their presence in my life.

Bye Mama-Ann...you are now reunited with my brother-friend Allen and Mr. A. And I'm sure my Daddy was there to hug you into heaven.

This has been a wierd few days in the new year.

Not only did Mama-Ann die, but also a sweet friend from church died of pancreatic cancer after being diagnosed only a week.

And a very well respected and loved physician at our hospital died yesterday after a tragic cycling accident.

It's not been a happy start to the year.

But life goes on.

And we need to tell our loved ones how much they mean to us every day.

Because life is precious.

But heaven is gonna be SO GOOD.


UPDATE Thursday:  Today I got a text from a friend in Tucson that a former sweet patient of mine passed away today.  4 friends in 3 days is a record for me.  One I really don't care to repeat.  Go hug your kids!