This is the picture my niece Lucy picked out in 2005 when she was thinking about Betsy. Betsy, her love of cats, had a sweatshirt that said "Cats I can quit any time" Betsy, who bravely dealt with the brain cancer matastacized from melenoma, that took her life 8 months after detection on September 1, 2005. The day she died was the day the papers bore the headline. Totally Devastated, after the dikes broke in New Orleans. It was surreal reading that headline in the small waiting room on the oncology ward at St. Johns, while allowing other family members to be with Betsy in her room down the hall. Such devastation, in the country and in our own hearts was overwhelming.
That overwhelmed feeling has been hitting me today and yesterday as the events of Katrina the hurricane and Gustave, the current hurricane seemed so similar. It is good that our Betsy will not be forgotten. It occured to me that our church choir was already practicing the last week of August that year as my friend Laura had commented on how I had bonded with Betsy so much it was like she was MY daughter as well as Gloria's. Well, I did feel close to her, and did bond in all those trips from Marine City to Detroit and back. She was a gutsier driver than me, but then I am older. Best for everyone to drive at the rate they are comfortable. I never go past Hall Road without thinking that was where she would get off to go to work. I don't go by 26 Mile road or Indian trail without thinking of her. Just can't forget it. I don't think that is a bad thing. But today and yesterday have been hard, remembering by association. Writing down the thoughts in the blog seem to bring closure to today.
My scrabble buddy came by and I beat her at two games. Started a new best sheet. and made a fairly decent dinner of fake crab meat, potatoes and brocolli. Also fresh tomatoes and blueberries. Not a bad meal. Glad today is over and that Gustave does not seem to be as bad for New Orleans as Katrina was. Glad folk did evacuate and that the national guard patrolled the streets so well. Hopefully not much will be lost but people have a respect for the weather.
Just got a call from "A" that the Antiques Roadshow may beevaluating my fan with the peacock feather. I already had it evaluated at about twenty five dollars. That's what they said its worth too. I will probably get it framed.
Well, thats about all. Betsy, we love you. We miss you. We will never forget you. I am glad that Woody is doing well with helping Jeanine into her early childhood and later childhood, as she is the one who will be most impacted in a fashion by this untimely death. Although the impact on her husband, siblings, and friends and Mom and Dad is heavy indeed. I don't think any of us will get over it. Rest In Peace, dear Betsy. We will make it.
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