Rudy and Denise: Special Friends

Thursday, July 2, 2015

Special Friends

I had lunch today with a group of teacher friends. We were referred to as "The Specials". Our group included the art, music, P.E., computer and enrichment teachers. We were special in more ways than one. We had a really fun group. It sure was good to see them all today.

Top: Mark, Karen N., Karen S., Alison, and Susan

Bottom: Marie, me

I am incredibly lucky to have so many good people in my life.

You can't choose your family, but I got lucky. I have a wonderful family and great aunts, uncles, and cousins, too.

You choose your mate, but can't choose your in-laws. I got lucky there, too. I'm so close to Rudy's entire family that they don't feel like in-laws.

You often have little say in who you work with, but over the years, I have worked with quite a few incredible people. Many have become life-long friends. The group you see here is truly special. I love them all! And by the way, you just can't believe how talented this group is.

As if seeing them wasn't enough, they also came bearing birthday gifts -

Life Can Change on a Dime

In October, 2014 my husband, Rudy, went to the doctor for what he thought was a mild case of bronchitis and it turned out to be stage 4 lung cancer. He passed away peacefully at 9:15am on May 7th, 2015. We had been married 36-1/2 years. I lost the love of my life.

We had lots of support from family and friends while Rudy was ill and those people have continued to support me as I try to make sense of life without Rudy.

This blog was originally started as a way to keep our loved ones informed of Rudy's journey. It became my journal. I had a hard time talking about how I was feeling, but writing about my feelings helped so much - it was a conversation with myself. If my friends want to know how I was doing and they were tired of hearing me say, "I'm OK", they could look here. But more than that, I found that this journal was help for others on a similar journey.