I was going to write a happy post today. It was going to be filled with pretty pictures of things I’ve been working on. In it I hoped to say some witty things to make you smile. I was actually in the midst of mulling over what I’d say as I drove home from a trip to the happiest place on earth . . . Home Depot . . . when, Ding, Ding . . . went my phone, and the Messenger window popped open.
It was my friend, my life-long friend, letting me know that her husband had passed in his sleep on Sunday night.
I knew he hadn’t been well for a long while but still . . . it was a shock. You see, it was only yesterday that we were mere teenagers who double dated together. It was only yesterday that I was a bridesmaid in their Spring wedding. It was only yesterday when, only months later, she was to be a bridesmaid at my Winter wedding but was too embarrassed to stand up front with her pregnant belly. 🙂
Today’s post is a tribute to the life of my friends who, for the sake of privacy I’ll call:
Danny & Sandy
Danny was nothing short of COOL! He looked really tough . . . though he was as gentle as could be. He had a muscle car and Levi’s and shaggy hair and a beard. He was a big guy who road a Harley and didn’t look like someone you’d want to mess with.
Sandy was his opposite. She was a church girl who went to beauty school, had REAL blond hair and wore pretty clothes. She was a loving kinda gal but not a pushover by any means!
Over the years life happened and we drifted our own ways, Sandy and me. Whenever we did get together though it was like we’d never been apart and we always shared without reservation about the various struggles and triumphs in each of our lives.
Life wasn’t perfect for Danny and Sandy. They had, like most married couples, times where they weren’t sure they would make it. They had a bunch of babies who grew into adults, then those adult children gave them a bunch of grandbabies . . . They struggled and never gained great wealth but they had and have a family who is close and who loves deeply.
Life wasn’t perfect for me either. I made some bad choices. At times I opted out rather than persevere. I think I took a little longer to grow up and settle in. Eventually life turned around for me and became very good. That is where I am today.
So just a couple of weeks ago, when I posted on Facebook about our adventure down to Florida to buy a painting for my dining room my friend Sandy messaged me and said,
“Painting is beautiful . . . I look at it and see you . . . You have the most amazing life Patti.”
“Hahaha!,” I wrote back, “The amazing life of Patti Krank! You know me well my longest lifetime friend and you know my life is far from perfect. I have fun though and I am blessed.”
Her reply,
“Life is an amazing journey isn’t it! Trials and troubles come but when Jesus is the center of your focus He sees you thru…and then once you get on the other side of it you look back and realize his hand was on me and He was there all the time, seeing me thru…what a blessing.”
This loving message from someone watching her husband slowly die of congestive heart failure. And Danny . . . what kind of suffering has he been going through, knowing that his time was coming to an end? How hard it must’ve been to say goodbye to his beloved wife of forty years and his children and grandchildren.
Today, as we messaged back and forth Sandy said that she has the assurance that Danny is in heaven with the Lord. That assurance brings peace.
So you see now, why I couldn’t write a light and happy post today. Tears flow as I grieve for my friend’s heartbreak and this world’s loss of a wonderful husband and father . . . on Father’s Day. I think I also grieve a bit over how short this life really is . . . because it was only yesterday . . .
Tweet ThisBlessings,
Kelly Murray says
June 24, 2015 at 7:40 pmNo words, except thank you for sharing.
Jan Kennett says
June 24, 2015 at 8:45 pmTears of grieef — and teears of celebration for such a wonderful life and llove!
I’m sure Danny is joyfully riding through heaven’s breeze, realizing that this life is but a blink but that Love is eternal, that Love enbraces all of us with the assurance that it can never fail, no matter what the circumstance.
Comfort to your dear friend during this sad time.
Jan Kennett says
June 24, 2015 at 8:48 pmSorry for the extra “e’s” — on my phone.
Wendy Johnson says
June 24, 2015 at 11:14 pmWell said . Prayers for you all
Nancy says
June 25, 2015 at 12:14 amDear Patti, thank you for sharing this loss. All of you will be in my prayers.
Shelly says
June 25, 2015 at 2:18 amI am so sorry, Patti. What a very sweet tribute to your special friends. You arts an amazing woman. “Sandi” is blessed to have you.. And I know she feels the same about you…. and you about her.
Sandra says
June 25, 2015 at 7:06 amPatti:
A lovely post and tribute to your dear friends. I also have a life long friend and you could have been writing about us. Your post is a reminder to all of us to truly treasure our friendships and our time together, as our time on this earth is really short. My condolences to you and your dear friend.
Kim Judice says
June 25, 2015 at 9:16 amWhat a wonderful tribute to your friend. I love reading your blog and appreciate the authentic way you share your life with so many. I will pray for comfort and peace for “Sandy” and her family.
Leslie says
June 25, 2015 at 9:34 amAwww, Patti.
I’m sorry about your friend’s sadness.
But happy that I’ll meet Danny one day, too. Life here is short, isn’t it. I always say that life here on earth is the childhood of our immortality.
I’ll be remembering Sandy. And you.
Lots of love… your new Southern sister 😉
Tammy says
June 25, 2015 at 10:45 amWhat a beautiful post! Thinking of you and your dear friend and praying for you all.
Stacey says
June 25, 2015 at 10:46 amI’m so sorry for your loss. There is comfort in knowing though…maybe not today but one day.
Hugs,
Stacey
Carol Cook says
June 25, 2015 at 11:42 amDefinitely a sad post – tears in my eyes as I type!
But, also a happy post about friendships, life, living, persevering …
Arell says
June 25, 2015 at 12:47 pmA beautiful post, full of love. What a great tribute to your friendship. It really moved me. My condolences to you and to your friend.
Goldie says
June 25, 2015 at 1:12 pmDear Patti,
What a wonderful post today about your friends. The Bible says “There is a time to laugh and a time to cry” Going in your sleep is a shock to family but it is the way I now hope myself and my husband go. Who has a perfect life? — I used to think everyone but me. Now at the age of 84, husband 87, I know that if everyone put their troubles in heaps and I could pick one, I would probably take mine back. You are so creative and God has blessed you with that talent but I believe sometimes we have to go through trials to become creative or rather we become more creative and compassionate because of them.
Yesterday we had to evacuate our home quickly because of a fire in the hills right behind our house. Didn’t even have time to take important papers or couldn’t get our wits about us to decide what was important. They let us back into our home after 10 p.m. and all was well. Thanking the Lord for that but they told us to expect a very volatile fire season because of the drought. Southern California is really suffering from that.
God bless.
Kari-Anne says
June 25, 2015 at 2:48 pmThank-you, Patti, for sharing this tribute. We will rejoice with those that rejoice, and mourn with those that mourn. You and Sandy must have a special friendship, that started just yesterday ~ but will last for eternity!
Katherine Sather says
June 25, 2015 at 3:46 pmVery sorry to hear of your loss. May
God give you peace in this sad time.
Cindy says
June 25, 2015 at 7:12 pmSad to hear this ! Reflecting on Gods promises for all of us! So hard to lose your beloved ! I can’t imagine it! My husband and I of thirty three years,also children and grandchildren .May the peace of the Holy Spirit come over the entire family and feel somehow the comfort that we will all be together in BLISS for eternity! Amen!
Sharon H says
June 25, 2015 at 11:43 pmPatti, bless your heart….What a beautiful, heart-wrenching, tribute to your friends. It’s always a difficult time when a loved one dies. Even when we know they’re in Heaven with our Father, our personal sorrow is mixed with the Joy of that knowledge. The phrase, “parting is such sweet sorrow”, comes to mind and i think it’s pretty accurate for the Christian. I love that old hymn, When we all get to Heaven….what a day of rejoicing it will be! Jesus paid the price so that as believers, we can have that assurance. He may be gone, but he will never be forgotten. Bless you and your friend and her family.
Phil 1:3, my friend.
Maria says
June 26, 2015 at 8:45 amJust found your blog while cruising Pinterest. Loved your post about contentment and the powder room. All so true. My heartfelt condolences to you and your dear friend. So happy to read that they both know Jesus. Isn’t He just the most wonderful? Nothing better…so blessed. Enjoy a peaceful weekend!
Maria in NY
Cathy@my1929charmer.com says
June 26, 2015 at 11:56 amWhat a beautiful post in honor and tribute of your friends. Parting is never easy, always sad and filled with memories past! Condolences to you Sandy and you! A IG friend.
Cindy says
June 30, 2015 at 6:32 amBeautiful Patti! Praying for your friend.
Blessings,
Cindy
Pat says
June 30, 2015 at 8:35 pmPatti,
A beautiful tribute to your friend and her husband.
May God give you comfort and peace as you make yourself available to your friend in her hour(s) of need.
Each day is a gift. . .
Fondly,
Pat