Reconnecting

Day before yesterday I was reading the obituaries as I often do. Kevin makes fun of me and asks me if I am looking for my own death notice, but I have always read the obituaries, even when we go on vacation. I especially found the obituaries in Hawaii interesting, they list what the attire for the funeral will be. Some announcements are very personal and sentimental while others are just matter of fact. But I do find them interesting. So back to Wednesday readings. I noticed an announcement for Jack Barbee in Borger, Texas. I said, "Oh, no." Kevin said, "What?" So I told him that Jack Barbee had died. He said,"Who's that?" To which I replied, "You know my friend Robin from college, her dad." I meant to call my friend Cheryl all day to tell her about it to see if she wanted to go to the funeral. Finally I remembered to call her about 10:30 that night. We contemplated several minutes back and forth, should we go, should we just forget it. See here's the deal. We all lived together in the dorm our freshman year and then Robin moved out and started hanging out with other people. She moved to Houston after our Sophomore year and we didn't hear from her again. So it had been over thirty years since we had seen or talked to her and we weren't sure she even wanted to see us. Cheryl asked me, "What do you want to do?" I told her," I really want to go." We were both very apprehensive about going but forged ahead. We really intended on getting there early so maybe we could see Robin before the funeral, but time got away from us and we got there about fifteen minutes before the service started. We made a quick trip to the ladies room and as we exited the restroom we saw the family waiting in the parlor. We were peeking in the glass doors like two little monkeys when Cheryl said, "There's Robin. In the gray suit. I know that's her." I wasn't so sure, but knew it was either her or her sister as she did have a look of familiarity. Robin made no indication she recognized either of us. We went on into the service and took our seats. The service was very nice and Jack's step-grandson did a lovely job. After the service the pastor announced the family would be in the parlor to receive guests. Cheryl and I waited a few minutes before going in to give other family and friends an opportunity to express their condolences. We finally slipped into the back of the room and was just quietly standing back waiting. One of the church ladies came over and asked if she could help, so we told her we were college friends of Robin and were just waiting. She tried to coax us closer, but we just hung back. Finally after about fifteen minutes of waiting, Robin stood to hug someone and caught Cheryl in her sights. Her face was priceless! She exclaimed, "Cheryl! Linda! How did you know!" She was so shocked that we had come. We got a quick hug and told her we would wait until she had time to visit with us. Unfortunately, we only got to visit for about twenty minutes. But I am so glad we went and made the effort to reconnect. We did exchange contact information and will see where it all goes. Robin and I had many great times together and I miss having her in my life. She was always so much fun and always kept us in stitches. Here are the pictures from yesterday. One of me, Cheryl and Robin the other of Robin and her husband John. They live in Houma, Louisiana. Hopefully the lines of communication will be open and we can get together soon. If you have someone in your life you haven't talked to in a long time I encourage you to pick up the phone and make the effort. Your life will be enriched for your effort.