My Friend Jane

Sorry I've been a little MIA this week.  Something happened on Sunday that made time stop for me.  While sitting in church, I saw my friend Jane's sister, Julie, was calling.  Jane had been bravely battling cancer for months so I stepped out to take the call.  My spirits lifted when I first saw my phone light up because I thought the call was Julie telling me Jane was up for a visit, but instead she delivered the news that Jane had gone to heaven that morning.

Me and Jane

Our friendship was one that had developed over many years.  Jane and I worked at the same company and over time began doing things beyond our 9-5 togetherness.  We had some amazing girls weekend trips together and she was always up for a concert or sporting event.  Whatever we were doing or wherever we were going, you just knew it would be a good time.  Don't you just love friends like that!

My friend Jane had some very unique facets. For example, she knew all the US Presidents and could recite them IN ORDER.  She was a runner and had completed more than one half marathon.  Despite being a little bit germophobic, she loved dogs and would often let them lick her face and lay all over her.  The best part, Jane was FUN.  Her quick wit and humor always added levity to the situation.

Debbie, Jane and Me

Jane was an avid Cardinals baseball fan. There hasn't been an opening day with Jane not in the stadium for years.  Last year, Jane, our friend Debbie and I took a trip to Spring Training together to see our beloved Redbirds.  It was the first time we had been south to watch any preseason games and we all LOVED it!  We were delighted to be checking "Attend Spring Training" off our bucket lists.  I blogged all about our trip HERE.  Lesson learned:  Don't just talk about doing those bucket list items.  Actually DO them!

The three of us at Spring Training

We had tossed around several ideas about where we should stay in Florida for our trip.  After some debate, it was agreed that we would spurge and get a hotel on the beach.  BEST.DECISION.EVER!  One night after watching a game (and loosing our rental car in the parking lot, but that's a story for another day) we ran by the grocery store, picked up dinner and had a seaside picnic.  We drank wine and recounted funny stories while watching the evening sky put on a show over the waves.  It was inconceivable to any of us that it would be our last trip together.  We thought we had years to continue checking things off our bucket lists and laughing at the fun we had doing it.  The lesson learned here:  Spurge for the better hotel.

Jane loved the snow and skiing was a passion of hers.  It was so fitting that at the time her visitation was scheduled to begin, huge snow flakes began falling from the sky.  Just a little reminder that Jane was up above, smiling down on us.

At the visitation, funeral and luncheon that followed, I looked around and saw so many people there remembering her.  I know her parents were extremely proud of Jane and it meant the world to them to see so many of her friends gathered to reminisce about their daughter.  What a tribute to have so many friends shedding tears in your honor.

As I slowly begin to step out of the fog that has consumed me from the moment I heard the news that Jane had passed, I'm grateful to have an abundance of memories from our friendship.  Through her I've learned many lessons.  The biggest lesson learned:  Treasure your friends because none of us know just how long they are going to be here!

Join me and Vanessa from X-tremely V in our Thinking Out Loud link up.  Feel free to link your favorite post(s) and share what you're up to.  We'd love to hear from you!

                 

Enjoy more Thoughts for Thursday at

Home of Malones

East Coast Chic

Hodges Podges

Thursday Favorite Things Blog Hop

While I'm Waiting

The Deliberate Mom

This is How We Roll

Love the Everyday

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