" Schafe"

My far away friend

I think I have finally caught my breath since hanging up the phone after Marti's call last night.  SInce the early days of high school when Mr. Hummer called us "Schafe" and "Shag" Ann has been a most treasured friend. Our friendship is an amazing testimony to the person kind of person Ann was.  She was a year ahead of me and just as we got to know each other well she graduated and we spent the rest of our lives apart from each other.  That never stopped us from running up very high long distance phone bills and keeping the postal service busy delivering long letters to one another.  I have seen some of our country's most beautiful places with Ann- Lake Champlane in Vermont, Yellowstone Park in Wyoming, Cunningham Falls in the Catoctin Mountains of Maryland, but the best was in 2005 when John and I with our 3 children Eddie, Clare and Kevin visited Tom and Ann in Vernal.  I was so happy that my children were able to meet my wonderful friend, her Tom and her dogs.   Since we never lived in the same place it always seemed we were saying good-bye to each other she always handled it better than I since I was always the one crying and she was the calm  one. Over 25 years ago she sent me a saying that she embrodeiered and I have hung on my wall ever since.  It is most appropriate today

"Don't be dismayed at good-byes -- A farewell is necessary before we can meet again  and meeting again after moments or lifetimes is certain for those who are friends. "

So my dear Schafe until we meet again know that you are loved and that our prayers are with your beloved Tom, your Mom and all of your family and the friends you leave behind in all the beautiful places you have touched.

My heart is a bit emptier today....

 Catherine