This is a hard one...not sure how to start. I guess I'll start with this day, one year ago. It was one year ago today my friend's battle with cancer came to an end. I was camping in Arkansas when her husband sent me that message I knew would be coming soon but was not as prepared for as I thought I would be. "She's gone" is all it said. I knew she was finally healed and completely pain-free. You see, she had put up a fight for so long...much longer than the doctors had thought she would. Of course, we all know only God knows how many days, weeks, months, years we have here on this beautiful earth. Let me tell you, she lived and she loved and she was loved!! If you knew Connie then you know that smile, it was always there. Oh, and her laugh, I can still hear it. I thank God for the memories we made when we were kids and even more for new memories that were made those last few years of her life.
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| One of my favorite pictures of Connie, with her baby, Leon. |
This picture was taken on one of our many camping trips.
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| Connie and Kim |
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| Cynthia, Nicole, Shea, Leon, and Connie on another camping trip |
Connie and Kim went with us one year to Chris and Syble's for a Mardi Gras party. We had so much fun. The next day on the ride home, I remember Connie talking about how her jaw hurt from laughing so much. You know those times you look back on in your life and you knew when
they were happening how important that very moment was but later you
realize just how important that moment was because it can never be
replayed, that was definitely one of those moments.
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| Connie and Kim playing at the McCleskey Casino. |
Connie called me and said we were going to eat at Mel's for her 45th birthday. It wasn't even an option to miss it. I think Connie knew there may not be another birthday for her here on earth and I was so honored when she wanted me there. Another one of those moments!!
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| Connie, Kim, and me at her birthday celebration |
I have so many pictures, so many memories, so many stories to tell involving Connie. There are a lot of previous blog post about some of our times together if you want to go back and look. I regret all those years we lost touch, all those good times together we missed out on but I am so thankful we reconnected.
I still pray for her sweet mama and daddy, her sons, David Allen and Colton, her husband, Tony, and her best friend, Mariam. They did a remarkable job taking care of her...though job is not the correct word because none of them considered it a job.
I love you, Connie and I'll see you later. Until then, I sure do miss you!!
Charlene
