Saturday, September 18, 2021
Dearest Judy, my Best Friend
Since we met in the middle of the night in the window of your mom’s house in 1977 we were the best of friends. We were the complete opposite of each other. Me =Nite/Judy= day -98%. I was 17 & so sheltered & selfish. You started the mold of the adult I am today whether you realized it or not. I knew nothing. I knew how to work. I think that was it. You taught me there is more than one way to cut an onion. I shared that story to someone less than 2 months ago. You got me out of the bedroom where I would hide, reading books or sleeping, from visitors & the world. It was you I was watching when I realized I wanted to raise my children with hugs, kisses & actually tell the I love them. I was not raised that way. It’s been extremely important to me. A gift that I’ve truly appreciated. I had to work at it. You? You were just that way. You were that way with everybody. You liked to spread love. You called a whole list of people every Sunday to say Hi & tell them you loved them. Even when you were having a rough day you turned on the bubbly love & called people. I watched you do it many times.
Many, many years ago I came from Oregon to say Hi. It was Xmas time. You had just given your only almost $300 to one of the kids because they had no money for gifts for your nieces/nephew. This was the early 90’s. It was a lot of money. You had no money left but you were fine. That is who you are & will always be with me. You gave until it hurts. You were stronger than most realize. You were dependable and always ready with the Love.
The strength you showed to take care of Marie is what I drew off of when I was taking care of my own mother. And in times when I thought I could no longer stand it anymore with mom BS I would take a trip to you. You would let me complain, give me hug, tell me you understood & I would go back to my mother, able to deal with it a little longer.
Then mom passed away. A couple years went by & I’m unprepared for what happens next. I find myself 5 days from homelessness. You stepped up. You let me move in with you. We are polar opposites. It was not easy for either of us but during that time we learned a lot about each other after 42 years. Most important is that we still Loved each other, we could still count on each other and we each confirmed that we were the best friends that we started out as being. This will carry me the rest of my life. You knew me from the beginning. I will have other friends but none will compare.
We didn’t always view things in the same light but we agreed with what was Right. We knew right from wrong. We didn’t talk to each other for years & I would find you somewhere in the valley & pick up right where we left off like we were never apart. You would go without. Rarely ask for help. Carried your own weight or more. You forgave much. Nice to Everybody. Stronger than you yourself realized especially when necessary. I can name a few times but I won’t. I’m not writing a book. This world misses you & the Love you spread.
I miss you so much. I’m sorry this took so long. I wasn’t ready to let you go. I wanted it completed by 8/10/21. I had knee surgery on the anniversary of your passing. I felt I was watched over the whole time and after. Strange things happened postop to the good. Which brings me to the lights you kept seeing the last few months you were here with us. I will want to know if it was Diana when I see you again. I believe things happen for a reason. Maybe things are going to get bad enough that God doesn’t want you to live it. I’m glad it was quick.
I Love you Judy Peacock. I’ve lain awake at night thinking about this writing & completing it. You have been a true friend & I’ve been blessed to have you in my life. I’m a better person today than I was when you met me at 17 and you are a part of that. You are a foundation block of who I am today.
With All My Love,
Nanc