TRUE LOVE AND TRUE FRIENDSHIPS ARE RARE GIFTS FROM LIFE THAT NEVER JUDGE NOR DIE

~ Posted, 17th August 2017 ~
 
My beloved Norma... 

Later in the day on Friday, 11th August 2017
I receive a WhatsApp from my friend Carol, to let me know that my dear old friend Norma has passed away during the evening of Tuesday 8th.  Norma was an old lady who I used to visit once or twice a week over the last years that I lived in my old home before moving to my new hometown.  I had only visited Norma once since I moved away about five years ago, but I had thought of her often and missed her terribly.  Sometime after I left that town, she had moved out of the old folks home I used to visit her at, to be with her family and I was happy that she was no longer living alone.
 
It was one of the most painful experiences of my life to say goodbye to her then, and now I have to face saying goodbye to her again… her funeral will be on Friday 18 August and I will be there. 

I want to sing to her at her funeral, but I don’t know if I will have the courage on the day (tomorrow)… or even if it would be appropriate for the family.  I wanted to sing at my Greek mom’s funeral in 2005, but lost my courage last minute… I always regretted that… I’d love to sing for Norma now… “May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You”… I already sang it to her a few times since I heard of her passing… just like I did for my beloved Greek mom after she passed… but not at her funeral as I wanted to do for her… I know that Norma would love it if I did… but she’d also understand if I can’t.
 
I used to sing songs for Norma on my visits to her.  I’d also read scriptures to her and she also loved to hear me read my latest poems.  I’d cut her nails and joke with her about her tiny little toenail on each of her little toes… it was the size of a baby’s toenail… so sweet! I’d help her with things that her old hands struggled with, such as emptying out all her toilet rolls form the 10-pack packet, and undoing each first stuck down sheet, then neatly replaced the toilet rolls back in the packet.  She complained that she struggled to get that first sheet unstuck each time she picked up a new roll, so for me, it was a great pleasure to help make things easier for her where I could.  
 
I remember those relaxing hours with her where I’d sometime just sit there, listening to her very loud classical music while she slept peacefully in her chair.  Sometimes when I read to her, she’s fall asleep half way through, leaving me smiling and my heart always… always so filled with love.
 
Norma became my dearest friend – someone who was there for me too and who loved to hear my stories… she was my mother on the days I needed a mom… she was my sister somedays and on others my wise counsellor… I know that she will be looking in on me now from time to time from the other side.  I’m sure I will still feel her loving hugs and see her smiling face in the beauty that still comes to me from Life. 
 
My beloved Norma… may the Good Lord bless and keep you… until we meet again… and we will meet again someday... I will always love you.
 
The photo was taken about five years ago… I’ve lost a lot of weight since then and look a whole lot wrinklier and older... 
 
Thank you for sharing
~ Panayiota