A Tough Summer and a Sad Goodbye

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I sit here today writing a goodbye letter to a friend of 30 years.  We worked together as court stenographers for 20 years and stayed friends when I left the courthouse. Last I talked to Marilyn was the end of May. My two chows had passed, I wanted a place to get away and asked if her condo in Destin was available, but it wasn't. She had been down and out for a while with a leg that was having problems from a fall. She had been to 19 doctors and no one could figure it out. Well, yesterday her daughter Lindsay let us know despite Marilyn's request that no one know, she had ALS and only weeks to live. 
 

I sit here now regretting not going to Portugal with the girls when asked, but Marilyn saw my name in a wall there and sent me this photo. I am so glad she got to travel to so many wonderful places before the illness attacked her. I remember the days at the courthouse when she would be on the phone with her mother who was struck with the same illness and could no longer speak. Marilyn can now no longer speak or stand. If only the good genes could be passed on and not the bad, which I know has Lindsay very worried.

So I sit here tonight writing a letter of memories to Marilyn for Lindsay to read to her remembering some of the fun times we all had. Marilyn was always upbeat and had great colloquial sayings being from West Virginia. I would call her a hillbilly and she would get mad lol. This is a photo from 2011 when the girls stayed a weekend at the boathouse. Marilyn's husband Rick had passed and we were trying to make her feel better. 

I think it helped, she seemed to be having a little fun.  One of the weekends I will remember along with lots of long talks on politics and religion where some of her answers to my questions may have gotten me closer to faith.  I hope that it helps me get to heaven, I know that's where you will be Marilyn and hope to see you again one day.

With her granddaughters just weeks ago and no longer able to sit in a chair. This is a horrible disease, I hope it is not passed onto your daughter or granddaughters, and I am so sorry this happened to such a wonderful lady. We just never know how much time we have left.  We will miss you Marilyn.