Helen and Char,
I just can't imagine a life with one of you and not the other - each of you a part of who I am - my family in Marlborough MA! I have been slow to express myself here, because I have been focused on giving support to our dear friend Char, while searching for a way to honor you, Helen, my friend of 36 years.
I met you so long ago, I actually forgot that you had a life before me - until I saw the posted photos. It is humbling to realize how each of us can share a life with you, and still, it is not all of you.
We were girls when we met at Oswego State, barely out of High School - in a class dominated by males. I think that we (You, Me, Karen, Renee) made up two thirds of the females in the group! We became fast friends, and then by senior year we shared an apartment together with Karen (an actual house!) on 7th Ave, a block from Lil's Tavern. (Good old Lil!) Mostly we went there to break up the monotony of those endless reams of nonsense - Foosball being so much more fun!
I was always the "runt" in the group when it came to computers and Math, but you never looked down on me or gave up on me - teaching me what you could with the patience of a saint. When I look at the photo of the three of us at graduation, I always chuckle. I call it the "3 Amigos" - Suma Cum, Magna Cum, and just Cum! in all our glory.
I never thought that spring that we'd be back together as roommates a year later- you at Raytheon (still around), me at Softech (long defunct). It still amuses me (at the time it was frustrating) how we went car shopping together, ordered the same Corollas, and yet YOU got yours first! (I did love my little red guy when it finally arrived!) Within a week of moving in with you, you did something that would change my life forever. You took me along with you to a party for a couple of guys at Raytheon, and BOOM! I met Nick(one of those two guys!) and well, you know the rest!
Fate brought us together all those years ago, but love is what made us a family. You and Me / You, Me, and Nick / You and Char / Me and Nick / You and Char, Me and Nick. Together for 33 years - laughing, kvetching, singing, dancing, playing Santa, toasting in the New Years, sharing birthdays (What do you mean YOURS is in October?), craft fairs, chowder fests, Bertucci dinners, "coffee" clutches, stories, jokes, board games (how you and Nick always beat me and Char is still fishy to me!) - even politics was not taboo.
We have lived only 5 minutes apart and didn't see each other nearly enough, but that's ok, because when we did, it was the best! And when we didn't, it always helped to know we could. Anytime, Anywhere, all we had to do was ask. That's just the way it was and will always be.
So To you Helen, I say:
Thank you. Thank you for your love. For your time. For our friends (Char, Nick).
My life is full from your kinship. My home is bright with your gifts and talents.
My memories of you are sown inside my soul.
My Personal Blessing for you Helen:
Please don't fret too much my friend. I know it was not easy,
for you to say goodbye. I wish it were not true,
that you have passed away. I know it is for some good reason,
though it is none that I can know today.
I wish for you the peace that comes
from the colors in the sky, the wind and light
that holds you now,
There is no need to cry.
For you have left your heart with us
to hold and share each day,
Forever will we be with you
Your great big family!
And To you Char, I say:
I have no idea how we will do this, but do this together we will.
Day by day, side by side
we will crawl into the future.
Love to you both always,
Jeannie and Nick