GirlTalk

Ever since I heard that Kay had passed away, I’d wanted to post something here, hoping the Universe would whisk it away to where she is, so that she knows how much she will be missed.

I had this picture that I’d wanted to post with this entry: a picture of Kay and I dressed for Halloween in 2006, about six months before she would have to leave us due to medical issues.

With the holidays on top of me, moving into a new home, and a holiday workload, I never was able to locate the photo of Kay and myself. I had an idea of where it was, just could never make it back to the drawer in my desk at the new house to make sure.

So it was when I was coming to work on Saturday, the day of Kay’s funeral. I’d forgotten it again, but I really needed to get into work to try to get my pages done before the funeral. So on my way in, I called my husband at home and after giving the location of where I thought it was, he said he’d find it.

As I got closer to Waynesboro (I only live about 8 miles away), all of a sudden, this thought popped into my head, “What about Mazie?“ Mazie is Kay’s dog.
I automatically thought, “I’ll take her if no one else can or wants to.“ Then another automatic thought, “I was with Kay when she picked Mazie out at the Humane Society.“

We’d taken a ride down there a few years ago, probably in early 2006. Kay had seen another dog in one of their online ads, that reminded her of a previous pet friend, Rhoda. We couldn’t bring Mazie home right away due to the prepping the Humane Society performed before all their adoptees could leave. Kay brought Mazie home a few days later.

Mazie used to take Kay for walks. It wasn’t the other way around. One winter day, Kay slipped and fell. Mazie went and got her help.

My husband met me at the office and we took off for Henry Funeral Home in Staunton.

Kay’s friend Jane, caught me in the aisle to say hello. We walked over to where the family was located. Then I asked her, “What about Mazie? You know, if no one can take her or wants her, I’d be happy to.“ (My poor husband! I’d never even discussed it with him! Ooops!)

Jane said that they family had been wondering what they were going to do with Kay’s friend. Jane said she’d pass on the information.

Kay’s funeral was a nice ceremony, as nice as a funeral can be. Her son Rick shared his remembrances with family and friends that had gathered and various friends from The News Virginian and Kay’s life also made comments about Kay and her life. The family had gotten together a powerpoint presentation of pictures of Kay from throughout her life. It was put to a song about dancing.

I’d heard Kay loved to dance. The Kay I knew didn’t dance. Her knees wouldn’t permit it. But she had the best sense of humor. And you could talk to her about anything. ANYTHING. And we did. We talked about religion, about men, about families, about kids, about bosses and coworkers, about friends we’d had, about books, about most anything and everything. No subject was off limits. Nothing.

And we used to smoke in the back stairwell, like we were still school girls worrying about getting caught by the school principal. Mostly we went in there when the weather was bad or it was too cold outside to hold a cigarette still enough to get it into your mouth to take a drag.

After the funeral, a few people went and had a beer for Kay. Others of us went to the cemetery.

She’s got a marvelous spot from which she can see the children at play at Westwood Elementary. She can see most of the rest of the cemetery too being at the top of a hill there. And there’s plenty of trees there too. She’ll be able to see the fireworks at Ridgeview Park on July 4th and the car show during the Fall Foliage Festival.

After the final cemetery ceremony, Kay’s son, Rick, located me and we talked about Mazie.
Because everyone has animals of their own and are unable to take her, Rick told me that I could have her.

I don’t know, but somewhere inside, I knew that once I’d told Jane I could take her, that we would get her.
I think Kay had something to do with that.
And I’m proud to have Kay’s Mazie, if she wants me to. But I’m only going to keep her, until she can one day be with Kay again. Kind of a substitute mommy.

I’ll miss my friend.

1-7-09: P.S. Sorry folks, I almost forgot to tell you. My hubby did find that picture of Kay and I: she was wearing a witch’s hat and I had my Cleo getup on. I gave it to Kay’s son, Todd, so I can’t post it here. It was the only copy I had. Maybe some day he’ll see this and send me a one. :-D