I’ve been missing….

Hi there,

It’s been over six weeks since I’ve posted and you all probably wondered where I got too. I worked every single day from September 10 through October 12, many days double shifts. Lots of women do this all the time and I used to.  But I’m many years older now, still recovering from the near fatal car accident and I wasn’t going to miss anything on my schedule.

That scheduled included teaching a very accelerated NYS EMT class in eleven 8-hour days for a new group of 10 Sheriffs Deputies.  It take A LOT to maintain the high energy to keep the students interested and there’s prep or work before and after classes.  I also worked my days at the local Town Offices AND most important of all, Puppy Girl Designs vending for the first time at a large local quilt show the weekend of September 14-15.  The weeks and days before the show was very busy with getting samples made, patterns tested and printed, displays designed and made, the list goes on.  I learned a lot, had a great time most of the time and met several new friends that join us here.  I send out extra special thanks go to my very special Roadie, aka Nancie Van Alstyne for the late nights, the support, the driving, etc. The following Saturday, September 21st had me at the Quilt Consortium of NYS Quilt Show out by Rochester demonstrating hand stitching.  Had a great time! The EMT class was held around all these events and jobs, even on weekends. By October 12th, everyone was very tired, especially me.  I slept a couple of days then back into regular work mode, with the beginnings of a wicked cold, and was looking forward to working on Puppy Girl Designs again!  I was not surprised that even though I took as good care of myself as I could, my body wasn’t happy. But my heart was happy, with so many different projects completed successfully.

On Wednesday, October 16th, I was stitching away on yet another pattern sample when I received a phone call from a good friend.  I thought it odd that he was calling as I knew he was out of town visiting family. We exchanged hellos, how are you? And then he said “I guess you haven’t heard yet…”.  That sentence can be innocent most of the time but his voice, quivering just a bit had me very quiet. He then recounted how a mutual friend had died very suddenly a few hours earlier, the details of the ambulance call, hospital stay and then the sudden end, all within a few hours.  This wonderful, giving woman was also an EMT with a neighboring Rescue Squad and the Fire Department.  She was first my student, then my friend, then trusted confidant and treasured sister.  And then she was gone, just like that.  I said very little during the phone call and the days following. Last Monday, I went with Roadie to our guild’s Fall retreat.  Did my best not to share my cooties (my cold) with anyone and kept mostly to myself.  I worked only on the sewing machine (not like me at all), not picking up a embroidery needle the whole time (totally unlike me). 

It is still not registering that Doris and I are not going to have our hour+ chats anymore, that she won’t be smothered with puppy girl kisses (from hers puppies or mine) anymore. Most of all, I will miss her smile and laugh. Please take this moment to tell those you like and love just how special they are to you.  Doris knew how I felt towards her and for that, I am grateful.