Barbara Powell - R.I.P.

My cousin Barbara and I grew up in Citra, Florida, living within a block of each other, playing together when we were young.  She was the sister I never had.  While I was older  by eight months, we were in the same class at school, starting in Citra where two grades were always in the same room because each grade only had six or seven students, followed by high school in Ocala, a large high school.  Barbara was popular, smart, made good grades and was a beautiful and talented majorette.

After college, Barbara married an ex-marine officer who earned his law degree and became a Florida’s Supreme Court Justice.  They have three sons, several grandchildren and Barbara recently became a great-grandmother.

In addition to her family, her great love was gardening.  She grew orchids, roses and other beautiful flowers.  She even had a business providing flowers for weddings and other events.  She just loved flowers.

We saw each other rarely when our children were growing up, as we were living in Rochester, New York.  After moving to North Carolina, we visited and stayed in touch by phone.  I talked to her a month ago, and we planned to see her during our vacation in Florida next week.

Barbara developed a serious cancer last year and underwent surgery and had difficult chemotherapy.  While she was cancer-free at her last checkup, she was weak, had lost weight and could no longer tend to her flowers.  She died on February 7.

Barbara, I, along with your family and many friends, miss you.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com

I Remember When

The topic for  a writing assignment for the Carolina Preserve writing group was:  "I remember when."  Below is my response.

I remembered when - my life was over, or so I thought.  My wife announced that she was in love with our pediatrician and wanted a separation.  She consented to marriage counseling, but some months later I received a court order to vacate our home or I would be arrested.  I left.

I moved into a small apartment, hating living there, missing my three daughters terribly.  A few weeks later I confessed to some of my friends at work that I was in the process of getting a divorce.  Bill, a close friend, said, “We know a lovely young woman who is in the process of a divorce.  Would you like to have dinner with us and meet her?”

I told him I wasn’t ready to meet anyone.

After a couple more weeks in my miserable apartment, I told Bill that I would like to meet his and Cynthia’s friend.

After I arrived, the doorbell rang, and then Cynthia ushered in Aloma.  Oh, my God!  She was so lovely and vivacious.  After a wonderful evening, I got her number, promising to call her which I did three days later.  My heart ached when she said she wasn’t ready to date.

A month later I took my daughters to a dude ranch in Canada for riding, hiking and boating followed by a trip to Florida to visit my dad.  When I returned, the phone rang.  Aloma invited me to play tennis and go out for lunch.

I remember when - the best part of my life began.

Seasoned Man

stevelem117@gmail.com