It was the best of times.....it was the worst of times

Yesterday, Palm Sunday, was a glorious day. We finally had a sunny day with temps. hovering in the low 70's.

Sorry Dawn, I couldn't help gloating.

We had All-You-Can-Eat spaghetti dinner at St. Rita's Church with Bill and Steven. This is the 4th year in a row for us and the food was especially good. Our waitress was engaging and very helpful.

After dinner I enlisted Patty's help in completing a digital scrapbook layout of her friends, Sheri and Aart (correct spelling, funny eh?). She has known them since 6th grade and they ended up getting married after high school.

Through all the years Patty and Sheri have remained "best friends". Nothing has dulled their friendship. Not the miles; moves; job changes or tragedies. A couple of years ago they even flew to Los Angeles just to be part of the audience on the Dr. Phil show.

Last year Patty was soooooo stressed out about her mother's health and was spending all of her time caring for Grandma Pat. I drove to Albany (where Patty was staying) and stole her away for a day.

We paid a surprise visit to her "best friend" Sheri at her farm. I wanted fresh strawberries (my excuse) but really I wanted Patty to have some "girl-time" with Sheri. I knew Sheri could comfort Patty and give her a caring shoulder to lean on. Sheri did just that, in spades.

We took our camera because I had never been to Sheri's home/farm but had heard a lot about it. We got some great shots and even managed to get Aart to stop long enough to pose for a pic. It was these pics that I wanted Patty to help me scrapbook.

We worked late into the night and got it finished, except for the date when they started the farm. Patty said she would call Sheri and get the date. (Who knows when. They send each other cards all the time but talk on the phone only once or twice a year)

This morning at 8:00am the phone rang. It was Sheri calling. I asked Patty if she had already called Sheri and she said, No. (Freaky, eh?) Sheri was calling to tell Patty that another of their best friends, Lori, had died unexpectedly on Palm Sunday.

It was the best of times.....it was the worst of times.

Patty is pretty torn up. Please keep her and Lori's family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.

Enjoy the spread of Sheri and Aart, they really are wonderful people.

* * Rest In Peace* *

Lori VanLeeuwen