Hey Beebs......regarding that hole in your life/heart.........

When Lee died I sent Sandy a PM where I told a quick story about that very thing. Sandy liked it and actually quoted it at Lee's memorial service.   Here's what I wrote to Sandy way back then.............

When Denny (my truest friend of 30 years) died awhile back, I spoke at his funeral as he had asked me to do. The SOB was such a "responsible" person that he even left me a "Thank You" note for doing so. Basically, I told stories on us for 20 minutes and had the large crowd laughing and not crying. The only serious part of it came from something one of Connie's kids had said to me. He asked what is what like to lose your best friend, and then said I must have an "awful big hole in my heart." I thought about that a minute and realized he was wrong. Great friends can never leave a hole in your heart; they can only leave it filled with the wonderful memories of who and what they were. Indeed, perhaps our hearts are made up entirely of friendships and who WE are is simply the end product of those we value most. I dunno.......

And I still don't know for sure. But I do know the Sandy Paton's of this world would never want to leave a hole in the lives and hearts of those friends they have themselves cherished. And then there is this.....written by wonderful Jeri after Rick died. Somehow it fits well here too.............

There are circles of friends,
Held loosely by lines I drew,
But in the winds of time they fade.
Here is where my passion ends,
I did all I could do,
But these circles of friends
Are the greatest thing I made

See me in their eyes.


Pat