I included this song in my blog because this is one of the songs
played at Sherilyn's funeral. Yes, I said funeral. My friend and
co-worker passed away almost a month ago on June 13. I miss her and
still cannot believe she is gone. She was only 64. Our friends and
loved ones are supposed to live forever, right? Wrong. None of us live
forever except in people's hearts and memories.
Sherilyn had
stomach issues. We knew that. What we didn't know was how severe. She
kept that much private from us. When I say us, I mean myself and a few
others at work that looked up to her not only as a friend but also as a
mother figure. We had ways of pampering her like making sure she had
her cup of coffee in the morning and something to eat for lunch or
whatever she needed. She had her way of pampering us in much the same
way. The small group of us always made certain the others, especially
Sherilyn, had something to eat or drink or whatever was needed. We were
each other's therapists. We would joke after a venting session to "put
in on my tab" or "you'll have to charge me double this time." haha We
shared our lives with each other. We told each other deep, personal
things not to be shared with just anyone. The evening of June 13 took
that all away. Sherilyn had taken a week off for various doctors'
appointments. She didn't come back except for the Wednesday the week of
Memorial Day. That was June 1. That was the last day I ever saw or
talked to her again. She appeared pale and shaky and ill. I asked her
how her week off had been, and she replied that it had been stressful
and horrible but did not want to go into details at work. She told me
she would talk to me later. She never did. She avoided mine and BA's
texts and calls with "I'm fine. I'll talk to you later." That never
happened. Sherilyn wasn't feeling well as I stated earlier. She left
on June 1 around 3 PM. When I heard her clocking out, I thought that
was strange she was leaving so early. Then I remembered she didn't feel
well. I thought I would see her the next day. I assumed I would see
her again some time in the near future if not the next day. I assumed a
lot of things. I took a lot of things for granted such as the fact
that I would see her again. I took for granted that I hoped she knew
that I loved her as my friend and what she meant to me. I didn't expect
to be standing out in the Texas heat and humidity under a tent in
Cleveland, Texas on the morning of June 18 to listen to this song while
attending her graveside services.
Sherilyn's stomach ruptured on June
7, and she had to be rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery and
was placed in ICU. Two days later her daughter received word from the
hospital that Sherilyn's kidneys were failing, and she had to be placed
on a ventilator. Sherilyn remained on life support until she peacefully
passed away from this life and into Heaven on June 13. We all gathered
to say our goodbyes on June 18.
I still can't believe she's
gone. I miss her. I miss her words of wisdom. I miss talking to
her. I miss laughing with her. I miss that motherly feeling I got from
her. I know everything happens for a reason, and I believe God is in
control. He took her home when it was her time. I know this in my
brain and in my heart, but there are times that I can't wrap my head
around her passing. I keep thinking that it was too soon. There was
much left to do. There was her granddaughter to see grow up. There was
work still to be done. But God had other plans for Sherilyn's life,
and we have to grieve for her, be grateful we knew her, and move on with
cherished memories.
I'm a firm believer in letting people know
that you love them and how much they mean to you. I want my friends and
family to know I love them and how much they mean to me, and I want
them to know how, even in the smallest of ways, each one of them has
impacted my life and made it better for knowing them. Folks, don't let
your loved ones get away from you without a hug, a kiss, an "I love
you". You never, never now when it just might be your last chance to
tell them. Don't let grudges get in the way. Don't let your last words
be wasted on a silly argument. Don't let the lasting memories you have
of that person be their backside while they are clocking out for the
day. Don't let your very last memory to be at their funeral wishing you
had said all you wanted to say and wondering if they knew you loved
them. Don't assume you'll see that person again. You may not.