Before we left for AZ. we spent a week with our friends Kathy and John --and we had such a wonderful time---then they left for their summer Florida place--where he passed away --cancer---the kids flew to Kathy--and they got john home--car--on train along with john -kathy and kids--
And then came the call to AZ.--it was a one day memorial--so we couldnt get a flight home and Kathy didnt want us to--
Then a week later we got another call that our dear friend Burt--who lived up the street passed away---heart attack--and he was so proud of his son-in-law--who is a navy seal----
By now I am hating Arizona---was it meant to be that we spend that fun week with Kathy and John---standing at the edge of our driveway when Burt would take a walk and stopped with L. and I and had some good laughs--
Most of U will remember lou's cousin Dan and wife Noreen and the kids named Danny--Diane--Donna--Dale-- Dawn--Dina and that we had borrowed monies from our parents so that we could buy this 2 family house in Staten Island where we lived for 5 years---and then went on our own---
Dan is Lou's cousin--our best man--and Noreen was my co-hort in crime--the 4 of us were going to spend our retirement dayz together--sadness struck the family when they lost Dale--and Dawn--and then Noreen died at age 52 of colon cancer --she feared docs. and never went to see one till it was much 2 late--
Well Dan was a lost soul --than thru friends at church they introduced him to Marilyn-and life came back to him---of course the kids were furious---but it was almost 2 years that he was alone and he and Marilyn were like a matched couple--
and she took alotta crap from the kids but always had a smile---
Finally they married and Lou and I were so happy to see a *live* Dan--
About 4 years back--Marilyn found out that she had melanoma--and had megga treatments--and then slowly started to melt away--but always with a smile and *things will get better*--being a nurse she knew the outcome-
So--here we are in AZ. and the phone rings and its Diane(Dans daughter) and I was happy to hear from her but then it hit me---Debbie and Di are the chatters--why is Di calling me and the happiness left my voice--and I said to Di--*please dont tell me what I think U are going to tell me!!!
Yes--she said---Marilyn had passed away while Dan was holding her---dont fly home--tis a one day service and thats what Dad wants me to tell U and Louie--
We sent flowers as we did for John----and Lynn,our daughter, went to New Jersey to represents the family---I couldnt thank Lynn enuf--she has plenty on her shoulders---
She called to tell us how happy they were to see her and Dan just hugged the daylights outta her---
So this is why I have been an absentee---losing these terrific people--has pushed me into that black hole--
I tried many times to get here but~~~~~~
Many good wishes to all newer--bees---and all my terrific old tenent bees-
Will be on more frequently---cus L. said---Barbara U need your friends-here--so get those fingers clicking them keys--
Luve U all
Barbara
