Sunday, December 31, 2023
We had a million laughs together and shared a million tears over these last few decades. Lauren was already born when I met her, but she called me right after the births of her other grandchildren and was so happy every time. I was delighted for her. Her family was her treasure.
She was strong, funny, and way more intelligent than I could ever hope to be. She loved who she loved, and she loved them hard. She hated winter and loved summer. She went by the name, "Summerlady" when I met her. Perfect.
Her family felt like my family because of how she shared them with me...Ed, her girls, the grandchildren. (I hope to stay in touch. ) We were listed as relatives on our Facebook profiles.
In the end, we weren't as close as we had been, but that's how our friendship was. We would go in and out of it by degree, but it was always there. And her last message on my Facebook was, "I love you, Stacy." I love you, too, Vickie, my friend.
She sent me a card a couple of weeks ago, trying to make me feel better about my recent losses...because that's just how she was.
She was no-nonsense, told it like it was, and was a person I would trust with my life. She was opinionated, but that was ok because we shared most of the same opinions. She knew my deepest secrets, and she told me hers.
I am a better person for having known her. I will always feel admiration and respect for Vickie. She was a force to be reckoned with. No one could ever take her place.
I'm so happy I got to meet her in person. I will always feel love for her memory. My heart goes out to everyone who knew her and will miss her, as I will. As I already do. I will always be here for her family if there is anything at all I can do for any of you.
