Rest in Peace, my Friend

 

I sadly learned that one of my dear friends passed away from lung cancer at age 47 yesterday.  She left behind a husband, three children, a father, and a brother.  The news of Ronda’s death left me in a state of devastated shock, to say the least.

She was one of my best friends in high school.  Ronda, Debbie, and I were the Three Musketeers (fem fatale – in our own minds) in our small Kansas town.  We three were practically inseparable.  We were young, average girls who were inexperienced, boy crazy, and trying to find our way in small town America.  Needless to say, we got into trouble – often. 

I graduated before both Ronda and Debbie, so I moved away first, though we all stood up with one another when each of us married.  As our paths took us in different directions, we lost touch with one another for some time.  However, Facebook brought us back together.  It was then I learned Ronda’s parents, Bryce and Delores, my second family, had moved to Florida.  Ronda and I rekindled our friendship via the Internet and promised that we would get together as soon as possible.  Life again got in the way of our promises and we were left posting notes to one another online. 

Delores was diagnosed with lung cancer three years ago.  Ronda kept me abreast until she passed away two months ago.  We continued chatting after her passing, making plans to get together the next time she came to Florida to visit her family or I returned to Kansas for a visit.  I never expected to receive the news I did yesterday.  She was young, vibrant, funny, and loved by everyone.  I feel a bit guilty that our good intentions will never be brought to fruition – at least not in this earthly realm.

I have many stories upon which our friendship was built that I could share with you but I won’t.  Those are personal, my own little treasure trove of happy times that I’ll keep locked in my heart where she will live for the rest of my days.  My solace comes from knowing that Delores was waiting with open arms to receive her daughter in heaven.  It gives my heart great relief knowing they are together, angels floating above the earth, free from this harsh world of pain, fear, and suffering.  They have reached the Promised Land where one day, we will all join them.  

I love you both, rest in peace my lovely friend.