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
No comments:
Post a Comment