A forewarning for my readers today: this is a sad post upcoming. If you're not in the mood to read about tragedy, then I ask that you come back another time, or later when I'm back to posting about positive content.
The end of 2018 was a little unreal. As you know from my previous blog entry, my cat passed away ans that was really difficult for me. Then in late December, I received some bad news from one of my best friends that his mom just wasn't recovering well and the end was near.
It's been an especially difficult time for my friend Mike. You may recall late in 2017 that his father passed away from cancer. His mother Mary was never really the same after that and eventually developed a cancer of her own, which is so heartbreaking. It goes to show you the bond that his parents shared together.
Mrs. Band was a wonderful woman, so inviting and welcoming every time you saw her. She loooved to talk and had so many interesting stories about her travels and being a flight attendant she was easily the most well-traveled person I have ever met. Conversation was easily her specialty, she was so eager to know how you were doing and actually took an interest in your life. I still remember this one day she asked how things were going with this girl I was dating. I told her that it wasn't go swell anymore and she dropped whatever she was doing, told me "That's okay. It's going to be okay." You could tell that I was more than just the neighbor's kid or Mike's friend. She honestly made me feel like a part of a family, an adopted son over the course of some 20 years. So you could just tell she truly cared about my happiness and well-being.
My last memories of Mrs. Band were all incredible ones. Celebrating the marriage of her son in Pennsylvania, Thanksgiving dinner with her while Mr. Band was still around, and even when she was going through chemotherapy and recovering, she still had a smile on her face and was happy to see and talk to me. She was very strong when times were tough and not much seemed to phase her. People like Mrs. Band are inspiring, you just want to follow in their footsteps.
It never gets any easier when this stuff happens. As we get older, it's gonna happen more. With each passing day I grow more appreciative of the people in my life. Just gotta keep in touch and continue to Make It Happen. I know it isn't easy, but the best we can do is try to stay connected with one another because you just never know when that time will run out.
Rest in peace Mrs. Band, you will be forever remembered.
