Ride The Lifetrain w/Chuckie

Let me tell you about my Gurl, Curl…actually, Carol, but in our mid-west accent we seem to say Curl.

We’ve been friends since literally diapers.  We always went to the same schools, participated in the same clubs and most always ended up in the same classes from elementary to High school.  We grew up like Forrest and Ginny, ceptin, yeah I said it…ceptin we always fought like cats and dogs.  We always manage to rub noses and love again though.  …And funny thing is, somehow over all the many years, I always manage to end up being her Chuckie.  That’s what she calls me (between fights).  She has got a mouth and she will not hold her tongue, but that’s what makes her cute.  We often laugh at how she used to go at it with our favorite sixth grade teacher, Ms. Davis.  I remember sitting in class wishing she would, “Just let it go”….I often think, what a great lawyer she would’ve made.    Anyway, she got on me recently because she thought that I was not going to put the pictures we took together at the class reunion up on the train.  I was so flattered that she even cared.  But, I had a great counter!  Even though we are many miles a part, she got her own special mention as still being my special friend.  So now gurl…2-shay!

She is such a wonderful woman, and friend.  She raised four kids; they seem to be a very tight knit unit…that’s a great tribute to the love she posses.

I mentioned earlier that we seemed to always end up in the same schools and same classes growing up…again since diapers.  The most important thing I know and not have to worry about is that we will end up in the ultimate class together, Heaven.  We know the same ultimate lawyer that will get us there.

The following story reminds me a bit of her and my many other friends that I need to be constantly reminded of how lucky I am to have the love of so many…I am humbled.  So before I close for today read this story, be reminded…love hard…love deep and oh yeah…

Curl…I love you gurl!

One day a woman’s husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn’t anymore.  No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more ‘just one minute.’

Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say ‘I love you.’

So while we have it, its best we love it, care for it, fix it when it’s broken and heal it when it’s sick.  This is true for marriage … and old cars.. and children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents.  We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it

Some things we keep — like a best friend who moved away or a classmate we grew up with. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special, and so, we keep them close!

Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking..I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling, or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don’t love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do.

…And just in case GOD calls me home, my fellow passengers…and Curl    I LOVE YA!!!

This story is dedicated today to all those who didn’t know that on that day, 9/11, they would not get a chance to say those three words one last time…”I Love You”

May God Bless America…