This morning I awoke to a text message saying "Jody passed." Jody was a friend I've known for over twenty years. She was married to an old boss of mine and is the mother of two great kids. For the years I worked for Jim, I always felt like part of the family. Even later in life we could always pick up right where we left off if I ran into them.
Over the summer I ran into her and she looked great. She was always full of life and always sweet. She said she was doing fine and she went on her way. I will always remember that picture of her. The loving mother, smiling and happy. When I read the text this morning, I immediately put my head down and cried. Here was a woman who didn't drink or smoke. Someone who always took care of themselves and someone who looked healthy as can be. Part of my emotion comes from the inevitable thoughts of my mother, but I started thinking about the family. I started thinking about her husband and how many years ago when we talked, she was his life. I thought about the kids. Two of the nicest, most polite kids I know (and pretty damn good looking -they get that from their mom!). I also thought about her sister, Denise, who I also worked with and who was her best friend. Then I thought about all the people whose lives she touched. Her loss will be felt by many.
In the past years I saw her less than usual, but it doesn't change anything. She was a great person. She made a difference in people's lives. She was a friend. She will not be the last person who I lose because of cancer. This will always trouble me. I've kept this somewhat thought going, but in the last fourteen weeks, I have not had one pass where someone I know didn't get diagnosed, have their status worsen or die from it. The two weeks I didn't personally, I had a friend find out her friend was diagnosed and then a few weeks later he passed. It's awful.
There are so many bad people in this world. So many people who do awful things to their bodies. So many people who neglect their health despite being warned. There are people who might even deserve to die a slow painful death, but those aren't the people who get this disease. It's my mother, it's my friends best friend John McLaughlin, it's Jody Salomone. And there are survivors and people that move on, but it always haunts me. My father, my friend Pete and even my 98 year old grandmother now has breast cancer. This disease plagues me. I can't escape it.
Today I spent a lot of time thinking of my friends. I thought about what a void her loss will leave. I thought about how much I miss and think about my mother every day. I know they will too. It will be hard. Impossible at times. They will survive and live on, because they will always have her in their hearts. She instilled great things in them and no disease can take that away. From any of us. Jody, you will be missed!
Over the summer I ran into her and she looked great. She was always full of life and always sweet. She said she was doing fine and she went on her way. I will always remember that picture of her. The loving mother, smiling and happy. When I read the text this morning, I immediately put my head down and cried. Here was a woman who didn't drink or smoke. Someone who always took care of themselves and someone who looked healthy as can be. Part of my emotion comes from the inevitable thoughts of my mother, but I started thinking about the family. I started thinking about her husband and how many years ago when we talked, she was his life. I thought about the kids. Two of the nicest, most polite kids I know (and pretty damn good looking -they get that from their mom!). I also thought about her sister, Denise, who I also worked with and who was her best friend. Then I thought about all the people whose lives she touched. Her loss will be felt by many.
In the past years I saw her less than usual, but it doesn't change anything. She was a great person. She made a difference in people's lives. She was a friend. She will not be the last person who I lose because of cancer. This will always trouble me. I've kept this somewhat thought going, but in the last fourteen weeks, I have not had one pass where someone I know didn't get diagnosed, have their status worsen or die from it. The two weeks I didn't personally, I had a friend find out her friend was diagnosed and then a few weeks later he passed. It's awful.
There are so many bad people in this world. So many people who do awful things to their bodies. So many people who neglect their health despite being warned. There are people who might even deserve to die a slow painful death, but those aren't the people who get this disease. It's my mother, it's my friends best friend John McLaughlin, it's Jody Salomone. And there are survivors and people that move on, but it always haunts me. My father, my friend Pete and even my 98 year old grandmother now has breast cancer. This disease plagues me. I can't escape it.
Today I spent a lot of time thinking of my friends. I thought about what a void her loss will leave. I thought about how much I miss and think about my mother every day. I know they will too. It will be hard. Impossible at times. They will survive and live on, because they will always have her in their hearts. She instilled great things in them and no disease can take that away. From any of us. Jody, you will be missed!
Comments
Post a Comment