Today I was reminded about the life of a friend who passed away a year ago. She was a high school classmate of mine back in the days when we chiseled our writing assignments on stone tablets and practiced arithmetic on an abacus. Of course, I'm not that old but my children and my aching back might disagree.
I was perusing my favorite social network when I came across a posting from a friend who was sharing a memory of the last time she and Patty exchanged a text message before Patty passed away. The text was a brief, yet meaningful, exchange between two friends who loved one another very much.
While we were in high school, I have to admit that I didn't know Patty very well. I remember that she was a popular girl with a killer smile. A smile that was not lost in the 35 years since
It was several years into my social network experience when Patty shared that she had just been diagnosed with cancer. And so today, when my friend shared her text message memory about Patty, I was drawn to go back through my message exchanges with her as well. And there they were. As I read each one, I was reminded how courageous and positive she was as she battled it out with the cancer that sought to destroy her. Often times, it was Patty who was giving out the encouragement and love to me when I was the one who was seeking to provide some help for her in her struggle.
In one of our final social network message exchanges, I had asked her if I could use the picture of her in her cowgirl hat and self-made yarn wig. I told her that I was thinking about writing a blog about people that inspire me and I wanted her permission to use that picture. I ended the message by telling her that I loved her and then I reminded her that I was in her corner. And then I added lots of x's and o's. She told me that of course I could use her picture and then she told me about the reactions she would get from people when she wore that hat with her yarn wig when she went out in public. By the time she was done, I was in stitches. Her attitude at that time in her life was amazing. She was fearless and there was not an ounce of self pity to be found anywhere on her.
As I thought about Patty today, I remembered that I never did write that blog about people who inspire me and I never did use Patty's Cowgirl Hat Picture in one of my blogs. Tonight, I can check both of those items off of my "To-do" list. Patty was and continues to be an inspiration in my life. She taught me a lot about living and she taught me a lot about dying. She taught me that I really don't have a lot to complain about. She taught me that living is all about my attitude. She taught me that no person and no life event can rob me of my happiness if I don't let them. Happiness comes from within.
So here's to you, Cowgirl.... We'll leave the light on for you.
Be Well.
Bill
