Lunch with the Ladies

I was so nervous to see these beautiful women again. They were my second family and remember me pre-stroke. A strong part of me wanted to avoid these encounters . I didn’t like the person I had become physically and emotionally. Genevieve convinced me to have them for a luncheon. I had forgotten what a close and loving family they are. 

They didn’t care that half of me was already dead. If you ever seen  the hunch Back on Notre Dame that how I picture myself in my head . I feel that I make people uncomfortable. For 8 years I’ve had to endure strangers staring at me.  Instead these sisters gave me laughter, hugs, flowers, and comfort. 

Ive never had a strong faith and these women do. They lost their brother/husband to pancreatic cancer. I loved Stephen. Everyone loved Stephen. He spoke like a Kennedy, a guy that was magnetic when he entered a room. At Christmas we would draw names in order to stay financially solvent (big Catholic family). Stephen got me... and he really “got me”. Two intricate antique dolls.  I’ve cherished them for over 20 years. The beauty of a gift like that is the memories it evokes, and the feeling that rides on the back of it. I wanted to give them to his family. I heard that he died peacefully. His mother died peacefully. Both were religious. I want to die peacefully.