(This photo was taken during my last trip to visit my Mom. My mom’s lab Bailey is patrolling her yard)
It’s always my mother who calls with bad news. Saturday I was enjoying the afternoon with Tom, contemplating dinner options when the phone rang.
“Melissa,” Mom said as if she was whispering a secret, “Something terrible has happened.”
My heart drops, along with my stomach, and both turn into a pool of mush in my feet. Last time she called a young relative of ours had been killed in a fight. The time before that was the earthquake in Haiti. I will never forget when she woke me up early on the morning of Sept. 11th, 2001, with, “Melissa, something terrible has happened.”
This time it was about my best friend from my hometown. Her husband tragically passed away on Saturday morning and she needed me. I canceled my plans for the week. Got my taxes done, woohoo! And now I am packing my bags and heading to southern California.
My friend, who looks and acts like an angel, is now a widow with four children ages 12, 9, 8, and 6. Please pray for them. Send them strength and courage. They have had a very difficult last few years and now this. They deserve a decade or two of peace.
Please wish us all some luck this weekend! Thank you!
Shoots and Roots 
Sending good thoughts for your friend and her kids.
Praying for you and your friend and her kids! I’m sure your presence will be a huge blessing to her.
I am so very, very sorry 😦 :-(….but, I am also so very, very glad that you are there for your friend. What a huge honor to be the one she leans on right now — and to experience this heartache and sorrow at her side is something you will always share with her. You must be very special, Melissa. Praying for both of you from over here.
xoxoxoxoxoxo
That is the coolest picture of Bailey!