Yesterday was a long day for us, Miss Terry more so than me. I got up about 8:30 to learn that she had already been up for a couple of hours, sick to her stomach. And not just queasy, but really, really sick.
With her feeling so bad, I told her It might be best if she stayed home and rested and that I would go to our friend Shar’s memorial service by myself. But Terry loved Shar and insisted on going, saying she hoped she’d get to feeling better once we were on the move. So we drove to the X Diamond guest ranch in the beautiful South Fork Canyon near the small village of Greer. The Little Colorado River winds through the valley and it was one of Jim and Shar’s favorite places. Quite often they’d go there for a weekend, or just to get away for a day. It seemed like the perfect place for a celebration of her life.
Jim had asked me to give a short eulogy for the 60 or so family members and guests. For a guy who makes his living with words, I had no idea what to say, but I told him I would be honored to do so. I’m afraid I got pretty choked up a few times, but I told the people that this wasn’t a time for tears, because Shar was one of the happiest people I have ever known. She wouldn’t want us to be shedding tears over her, but rather to laugh and enjoy the happy memories of our time with her, and as long as we have them, she is still with us. I hope I did her memory justice.
Besides her family and friends, there was nothing Shar loved more than horses, and Wink Crigler, owner of the ranch, had one of the wranglers bring out Shar’s favorite horse, saddled and ready to ride, with a black banner behind the saddle that said “We will miss you.” It was a fitting goodbye to a very special lady who was loved by so many people.
After the folks left we stayed for a while and then drove Jim back to town and spent some time with close friends who had gathered, and we didn’t get home until about 7 p.m. Unfortunately, poor Terry never did get better and was pretty miserable all day long. As soon as we were home she went right to bed, something she never does that early.
I spent an hour to so in the house with Tiffany and her family, but I was so tired that I kept nodding off, and finally I said goodnight and came back to the motorhome to check on Terry, answer some e-mails, and write the blog. Since Terry was asleep and didn’t proofread it, and I was worn out, hopefully there won’t be too many typos in today’s blog.
It was a long emotional day and hopefully a good night’s rest will put Terry on the mend.
Thought For The Day – No matter what their background, job or status in life, everyone deserves your respect.
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Nick Russell
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Hi guys, Stevi here…
Terry, i hope you are feeling much better!!
Nick, i’m certain you more than ‘did justice’ to the memory of the friend you loved so much.
People like the two of you are what ‘friends’ are all about…
Hopes for a much better day today are coming from here…
I truly hope that Miss Terry awakes feeling much better. It must have been really hard for Terry to push herself to attend. She is a true friend. And,Nick, I didn’t see any typos.
I am sure that Shari looked down on you yesterday and smiled and said thanks Nick you did a beautiful job. Hope Terry is feeling much better today.
losing a friend leaves a big hole for a long, long time.
I still dread to go back to our “home church” because it will never be the same. . .one of the joys of returning was to see my friend and catch up on all the news from her. . .
there are only a few of those special folks in our lives. . .glad you had one!
What a beautiful tribute to your friend Shar. It is so hard to lose a loved one and know that she is looking down on you guys and is thankful you are there to be with Jim.
Sure hope Miss Terry is feeling much better today. She now has some very special memories of a good friend to help her.
Nik, Friends don’t come easy to some but to have a friend that is close to you is such a cherished thing to have. Some people have old friends and new ones too but when one drops from this world to the next life there will always be a place in our hearts that person. It will never leave you because your love and relationship with a friend NEVER wanders or ends.
I hope Terry will feel better and back at the loom and the cooking that she enjoys so much. She to you, is like mine is to me, the best asset to my life and my best friend..
Days like yesterday are difficult to get through, especially if you are giving a eulogy or tribute. I am glad that you and Terry are with family and look forward to a happy day today with the people and critters that you love so much.
Again…what wonderful friends you guys are!! Blessings and especially for Terry caring so much to go even when so ill!! I hope you can relax and recover over the next few days…
A blogger I read once thought he had a bad case of the stomach flu. His appendix was about to explode. I hope Miss Terry is well today but if not please get her checked out.