One year ago today, I lost my best friend, Arlene. Author Jonathan Eli lost his wife. I told him today that I wanted to do a blog post in memory of her, but I was afraid I would cry all the way through it. But here it is. She was a breast cancer survivor, and she beat that, but she never felt good after the radiation and chemo, even after five years. A year ago, she died from blood clots in both lungs. No one could ever figure out exactly how that happened, but I suspect it had something to do with the fact that she sat too much and didn’t get up and move around. That was mainly due to a bad knee. That’s why I wrote a PSA blog post on blood clots a while back. We don’t know why things happen the way they do. I just think maybe she was so special, God decided it was time for Him to have her. 🙂
Arlene always kept her sarcastic sense of humor through all the bad times with her health. Sometimes, I think about something stupid I do, and I can just hear her up there making fun of me. Every time I play a Big Fish game, I think of how I wish I could tell her about it. We both loved those games. One year, when I went to her house to visit for a week, she and I played those games for hours. I’m always thinking “I need to tell Arlene_____” then I remember she’s gone. But I sometimes tell her anyway, although anyone around me would think I was talking to myself.
Anyway, I just wanted to let everyone know what I’m feeling today. Part of me is sad. Part of me just remembers her fondly and has to smile at all the funny stuff we did together. And there’s a LOT of that. I miss her very, very much, but someday I’ll see her again. I hope she’s not giving the angels too hard of a time. LOL. Here’s to you, Arlene. I’ll always love you.
lauralynnelliott.com 
Hugs to you and Jon! I know you both really miss her. She was a delight to be with. The Apple Festivals were always so much fun with her there. 😉
There was no one like her. Saying she was unique doesn’t quite tell the whole story. 🙂
Here’s to Arlene. I’m sure she’s reading this and smiling Lauralynn.
I’m sure she is, Emma. She would have been so happy for my writing success, too. She was always such an encouragement.
Oh, and thanks for the retweet! 🙂
Cheers to Arlene! I will have a glass of wine just for her tonight, Lauralynn. HUGS
Thank you so much, Tiffany. She’ll be smiling. 🙂
Oh! Lauralynn! I lost someone close like that…it’s hard. And I know what you mean when you wish you could pick up the phone and talk to her.
I will say a blessing for you today, and send you comfort as a friend- even if only through a few words over a thousand miles.
Thank you, Nadja, it IS hard. Especially when I want to tell her stuff. And a few words over a thousand miles mean a lot. That’s the beauty of the internet…a thousand miles becomes nothing.
She sounds like she was a fun person to be around. I’m sorry she can’t be there for you to talk to, but I do think when people go to Heaven, they know what’s happening with us. It’s something that’s always given me comfort after my mom died.
I hope she’s up there laughing at all the silly things I do. 🙂 At least I know she’s not in pain or tired anymore.