Sunday, August 2, 2015
I am going to miss Carol tremendously. At her service yesterday, I kept looking around for her so I could tell how lovely the service was and who was there. She would have loved seeing everyone who showed up. Carol and I got to know each other very well in 2008/09 at the private home of our mutual friend Kathy who did our nails. Carol had the 4 o'clock appointment, I the 5, every two weeks. She had no trouble relating to me in my 30's and I frequently sought her advice and insight. I began arriving early for my nail appt and she would stay late so we could chat longer. Of course she couldn’t stay too late because she always had somewhere to be, Coach House, bridge or dinner with the ladies, and so on. We joked a better social calendar than mine! We discovered our birthdays differed by one day, one more thing in common, and we shared a passion for giving back to our community. We often met for breakfast and lunch, always to celebrate our birthdays. I heard lovely stories about each of you and she praised you for your accomplishments. It was fun to watch her excitement anticipating the family trip to Maui. She introduced me to Lucy Lodge who also became a close friend of mine. I loved hearing stories about Lucy and Carol’s travel adventures both with Walt and Bob, and as just the two of them. Carol heard all about my crazy dating stories and then saw me fall in love and get married in 2013, coincidentally on June 21st, sharing an anniversary now too. My husband and I had a very intimate, private wedding and Carol insisted on providing a catered lunch for me, my husband and my stepson back at our home following our wedding ceremony. Carol even got to share in my joy later when I became pregnant and she and Lucy drove together to my baby shower. I sought the knowledge and experience of these ladies, pioneers of their generation, and each a mother of three boys. Carol was always so thoughtful, inviting us over to swim in the pool in her neighborhood and visit at her condo. I always forgot the years between us until more recently when her leg was bothering her. After Lucy died, I called her a little more often because I think the loss of her friend hurt her more than she would admit publicly.
Our most recent visit was extra special as we both weren’t in a hurry and she took a lot of time showing me 100’s of family pictures and stories about each. I treasure this visit.
I really miss Carol. I did not expect to lose her so soon. It feels like we just mourned Lucy together and I expected to have many more years with Carol and having her watch my step son and daughter grow. I loved Carol and I’m grateful for what I learned from her and for the time I had her as a friend.
I’m telling you this for my own healing and recollection but also I guess so you know the true and limitless reach of her love and friendship, but I know you already know this.
Thinking of you all as you remember your mother and grandmother.
-Kelly
