This Was Very Sad...

Last Christmas I sent out greeting cards to all my friends and family, with a picture of my family under a Christmas tree. I sent them out to almost everyone, new and old friends, including Lilia, my very good friend and former co-worker from Houston, Texas. She had just gotten out of a major brain tumor operation the last time I saw her in late 2005. We've since lost touch, as it had been very hectic for me and my husband with two new babies and three different moves total.

A few days ago, I received a letter from her husband thanking us of the Christmas greeting card but bearing sad news that my friend Lilia died a year ago on December 8th. I was completely shocked and was very sad of this news. My husband felt the same, as we both know them as our good friends from Houston, Texas--another city that my husband and I lived in for five years and left about 2 1/2 years ago.

We used to go to each other's houses for parties and she was always very nice to accomodate me at her home especially when I went through major grief and depression over losing my dearest, beloved mother from a tragic boat accident in February 2004. My husband would be away for days because of his job, and I didn't want to stay home alone at our huge five-bedroom house. We didn't have babies yet at the time and were married only a few months. Lilia would always take me when I asked her if I could sleep over her house. I was a little 'mess' at the time. I hated to be alone. And she was always there when I needed a friend to talk to.

So I said a little prayer for her. She is in a better place now. But I will miss her a lot...a whole lot.