The Loss of a Childhood Memory

This week I had a hard shot of reality hit me with the passing of one of our friends who was also my dad’s co-worker we had known for over 60 years.  Fred was a manly man, beard, baritone voice, always drove his Volvo cars.  His flannel shirts were connected to him unless the weather was too hot and humid.  Fred married the sweetest, petite Italian woman.  It was impossible not to fall in love with both Fred and Audrey.

As I was browsing through boxes of old family photographs, I came upon one where friends – Fred and Audrey, Carl, Jean, and kids, along with my family, were enjoying the sun at a nearby lake in Montana.  (Looks like they found a convenient clothesline to dry out the shoes and clothing!) (Fred and Audrey are on the far left with their arms around each other. I'm in the right front with blue shorts and a white top.)

As a civil engineer, Fred later in his career got assigned to Antarctica for an eight-month stint.  Audrey then positioned herself in Denver, Colorado where many of the retired cartographers and their families had settled.  It was important for her to have support as most of her family remained in Italy. Several years later, finding our families together again, Fred and Audrey now had two young boys, John and Michael.  Being the oldest and babysitting age, I was nominated and offered the task of watching the three of them, my sister and the two boys, while the adults went out for dinner.   Never had I been so full and overflowing with rowdy youngsters who were determined to upset me and cause chaos.  I quickly found myself yelling and screaming to no avail.  That was not my style.  And never was I so elated to be relieved of a job as I was that night.  I almost didn’t accept payment, although I didn’t want to start any issues.

As Audrey and I reminisced yesterday, my heart ached for her and for the love affair they shared for sixty-one years. Her voice spilled raw emotion and revealed her frailty.  I yearned to travel to Colorado for the funeral to console her, hug her, and envelope her in the love I felt for her and Fred.

I share this story to remind us how fragile life is.  We often take life for granted, upset with others, especially family, then not communicating for months or even years - then one day – poof! – they are gone.  Recently, I’ve been making a concerted effort to share feelings with loved ones, to touch base with friends I haven’t communicated with in a while, and to step out of my comfortable house to do a random act of kindness.

Hopefully, with this pandemic in our rearview mirror, we can begin to get back out, reach out and fill the needs of others around us.  Do a random act of kindness and watch it spread.  In essence, leave a positive mark on this world.

Today begins the Lenten season in our churches – Ash Wednesday.  If you are looking for a church in Katy or West Houston, please accept my invitation to join my congregation, Living Word Lutheran Church, 3700 S. Mason Road, Katy, Texas 77450.  Or if you’d rather follow the online services, you can find it on YouTube or Facebook or click on the following link   https://www.livingwordkaty.org/

Just a reminder to check out my Freebies tab!

All my best,

Julie