My friend Cheryl and I have known each other since high school. It is hard to believe that it will be 25 years. We have gone through many things is those 25 years. In high school we became friends and found out that we had a lot in common. She was being raised by her grandmother and I was being raised by mine. That gave her an in with my mom (who was very very strict). She figured that Cheryl's Gram was just as strict - so we spent more and more time together. We went almost everywhere together. Sometimes Cheryl's Mom would visit. I always thought Nana and Cheryl had an interesting relationship. Nana wasn't around much. I'm not really sure where she was - but she wasn't around to raise Cheryl and her brother. She would show up every now and then and I thought that was kind of cool. Some of the things that I most remember are things that no-one else would let us do. She would drive Cheryl, Chuck and me down to Ft. Lauderdale strip when you were still allowed to cruise the strip. Cheryl and I would stick our heads out the window and yell and whistle at boys. She would give us advice about boys and life on those trips. She took us to my first restaurant/bar (I would call it a dive now). I had my first Shirley Temple and introduced to the whole thing that people actually drank alcohol (ok - I was really sheltered). Nana even let me drive her car. Her car was my first accident. I drove into a stop sign. She was a great older sister.
Later on she wanted to be more to Cheryl. She wanted to be a mom and it was hard at first for Cheryl but slowly it happened. Cheryl had her second child Katie and Nana became a grandmom. She became a mother and a grandmother overnight. She took on the role very well I think. She spoiled Katie and was there for Cheryl if she needed her help (which she did). Nana and her husband Bob lived in Maine but would come down to Ft. Lauderdale during season - they would see Cheryl and Katie as often as they could.
Nana had been sick for awhile with several different ailments. Unfortunately, she succumbed to them this past Sunday on Mother's Day. I was praying and hoping that she wouldn't die on Mother's Day. I thought it would be so hard on Cheryl and Katie for the future to have that hanging there on every Mother's Day. I still think it will be hard, but the more I thought about it the more I think that it is actually fitting. In my eyes - for a woman to start off as a big sister and wind up being a caring, thoughtful mother/grandmother to her daughter and grandchild is an amazing road. She took responsibility and fought for what she wanted and for what Cheryl and Katie needed. It had to have been a life changing moment and decision once she decided to take that step. I know it was not easy in the beginning. I know there was resentment at first in having someone all of a sudden decide that they want to be your mom and it took some time for Cheryl to actually act like it. She filled the role wonderfully though and didn't give up. She gave advice, warnings, love and support even when it was not always wanted. I know Cheryl and Katie are better off for having her in their life.
A wonderful woman, friend and mother is now gone. She will be terribly missed by all - for her love, friendship, support and the memories that we are lucky enough to have.
Later on she wanted to be more to Cheryl. She wanted to be a mom and it was hard at first for Cheryl but slowly it happened. Cheryl had her second child Katie and Nana became a grandmom. She became a mother and a grandmother overnight. She took on the role very well I think. She spoiled Katie and was there for Cheryl if she needed her help (which she did). Nana and her husband Bob lived in Maine but would come down to Ft. Lauderdale during season - they would see Cheryl and Katie as often as they could.
Nana had been sick for awhile with several different ailments. Unfortunately, she succumbed to them this past Sunday on Mother's Day. I was praying and hoping that she wouldn't die on Mother's Day. I thought it would be so hard on Cheryl and Katie for the future to have that hanging there on every Mother's Day. I still think it will be hard, but the more I thought about it the more I think that it is actually fitting. In my eyes - for a woman to start off as a big sister and wind up being a caring, thoughtful mother/grandmother to her daughter and grandchild is an amazing road. She took responsibility and fought for what she wanted and for what Cheryl and Katie needed. It had to have been a life changing moment and decision once she decided to take that step. I know it was not easy in the beginning. I know there was resentment at first in having someone all of a sudden decide that they want to be your mom and it took some time for Cheryl to actually act like it. She filled the role wonderfully though and didn't give up. She gave advice, warnings, love and support even when it was not always wanted. I know Cheryl and Katie are better off for having her in their life.
A wonderful woman, friend and mother is now gone. She will be terribly missed by all - for her love, friendship, support and the memories that we are lucky enough to have.
1 comment:
Wow, I am sorry to hear about your and Cheryl's loss. I know that loosing a close relative or friend who's like family is so hard.
The one good thing that I can say is that she must've left an incredible mark on you for your fond memories of her.
In doing that, she left her mark on the world and left it a brighter place than when she came into it.
Thanks for sharing.
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