Saying good bye

 On Friday, we attended a funeral.

Someone who was very special to everyone who ever met her at my place of work was laid to rest.

Joanne knew everyone's name, and everyone's story, and she remembered every time she saw you, in the hallway, in the break room, where ever!

The first time I met her was in the break room, in 2013, and when she opened her mouth to speak, I heard MY Chicago accent!!  

We connected immediately as Chicago transplants, though she was from the south suburbs, and I was from the western suburbs, and we followed different home town baseball teams.

She worked for the paramedics side, and I worked for the business office, but we ran into each other a lot in the building, and she was always just SO kind.

When I was diagnosed with cancer, and getting ready to start chemo, she came over to our office with a dozen or so beautiful scarves that she had purchased for me.   She included information about where to go on line to learn how to wrap and tie them stylishly.... it was an example of her generous spirit, and kind nature.

She checked on me frequently during those first months of treatment, and when it was too hot to wear scarves, I just went bald-headed.  She'd walk through the break room while I was eating my lunch, and run a hand over my smooth pate. I could feel the love, even if we didn't speak.

Everyone called her "mom,"  especially the young paramedics and EMTs.

After we were sent to work from home during the pandemic lock down, she was the one person at the office that I missed the most.  She'd call me, once in a while, to check in, or to ask a billing question, or a question about how to use some of our system software.

Then we moved offices, and I didn't see her very much at all in the new building because it as so much bigger, and I was only there to pick up and drop off paperwork for the first several months.

2 years ago, before I started having to go to the office for full days, she retired, and we lost touch because we had never exchanged any personal information.

At the service on Friday, they parked an EMSA ambulance unit in front of the funeral home, and some of the senior medics wore their dress uniforms, with white gloves, and presented an honor guard for her.

It was beautiful.

My story was shared as part of the remembrances. 

The "EMSA side" of the room was PACKED.... the family and church side was only about half full.  That says a lot.... 

In other news, this past week was pretty much uneventful, which is okay.  

I got to go back to physical therapy, and worked my two office days.

My family member is doing okay, getting stronger.

We've had more surprising summer rain, and a cool front came through again a couple of days ago, allowing us to have open-window mornings (it was actually 69 degrees when I got up today),  and to get outside a bit.  

Dave has already been outside cutting back some shrubbery that's been scraping against the house.

Unfortunately, today is the last day of the respite.  I am very grateful for these breaks, though!

Wishing you, gentle reader, a lovely week!