Thursday, February 4, 2016

TREASURE THE MEMORIES

On Saturday, January 30th, I lost a dear friend whom I had known since high school.  
When I found out on Weds. Jan. 27th, that she had entered hospice, I was shocked and saddened. 
 The next day as I was thinking of her and our youthful times together, I was gazing out the window. There I saw a rainbow as colorful as Maria was. At some moments I could see 
a faded second rainbow! 
Can you see the second rainbow in the first photo?
The sky changed colors and went from dark to a brighter blue.
I smiled and thought how Maria was like the rainbow and how she added color to many lives.
Maria was a wonderful, colorful, caring, strong friend, mother and woman.
She was always there if you needed help. even if it was just a shoulder to cry on.
Maria, Sue, and I hung out together and called ourselves the Three Amigos.
I met Maria when she stopped a bully in high school from beating me up.
She stepped between me and the girl and told her, "If you want this little girl you will have to go through me first."  She became a guardian angel to me after that. She helped me to grow into myself.

She was always cheerful. Maria seemed to see fun in everything and kept us laughing.
She smoked and when I asked her what it was like, she handed me the cigarette and told me to take a big, deep breath. When I did, I started coughing like crazy. Then she said that she better not ever catch me smoking--EVER!
When some guys asked me out, Maria would simply tell me, "You are not going out with him. He is no good."  She protected me. She knew I was naive.
Across the street from me was an Hispanic family with two teen boys, and they would see me and say 'Bonita Rosa.'  I told Maria one day that they kept calling me bony Rose, and she laughed so hard. Then she informed me that they were saying Pretty Rose, not bony Rose.
She thought that was extremely funny! And it was!
 
Maria and her mom taught me how to make homemade tortillas. Sue and I loved eating food they prepared.  The tortillas fried up and sprinkled with a blend of cinnamon and sugar, or powdered sugar were OH so delicious! 
 
This is the way I will remember my friend, my Maria--smiling.
Peace be with you, my dear friend.

18 comments:

  1. What a sweet happy post about your friend Maria.

    I am sorry for your loss, all of these memories are locked in your heart.

    FlowerLady

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  2. Yes, Rose, I saw the second rainbow! Maria was a wonderful person and you were lucky to have her friendship. I can tell from her smile and your remarks that she was one of those special people who come along once in a lifetime. Bon voyage, Maria. She'll be waiting for you. Love, Alice

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  3. What precious memories of a beautiful friend, inside and out! God bless her family, you & Sue during this time.

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  4. Rose,
    That was a lovely way to remember your friend.
    Moma

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  5. Beautiful tribute. And what a gr eat friend to have. Beth

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  6. Sorry to of your loss,but happy that you can recall pleasant times spent together.

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  7. A beautiful remembrance of a dear friend 🌸

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  8. It's so hard to lose a friend, Rose! I know you are grateful for the many years of friendship you shared. Sending prayers for peace and comfort in the days and weeks ahead! Blessings, Cindy

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  9. So sorry to hear about your friend.

    Gorgeous rainbow shots!

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  10. Beautiful ♡ Ana Lisa M.

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  11. I too saw the second rainbow. A lovely post about a dear departed friend.

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  12. It is so hard when we loose our friends to death
    a couple years ago I had just reconnected with a grade school friend and in 3 months she was dead from cancer
    yes of course I see the second rainbow, there was a group of us talking this week about how a rainbow is a circle and airplane pilots had said they see the complete circle of a rainbow when flying.

    sorry about your friend

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  13. Dear Rose, I am so sorry for the loss of your precious friend. She sounds like she was a beautiful person inside and out and was very important in your life. I saw both rainbows too. May God give you comfort in the days ahead. Beautiful tribute to Maria.
    xo

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  14. Rose, I am so sorry that you lost your dear friend, Maria! She sounds like an amazing person sticking up for you. I laughed about the Bonita Rose story. I saw the beautiful double rainbow. Hang on to those sweet memories of your friend!
    hugs,
    Jann

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  15. I'm so sorry for your loss, Rose. She obviously was a great person and seemed like a lot of fun too. I'm glad you had her in your life. May she rest in peace.

    hugs to you,
    rue

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  16. This is such a beautiful tribute to your friend. Thinking of you.
    Magali

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  17. So sorry Rose, what a beautiful tribute to your dear friend, Maria. xoxo Su

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  18. Oh, Rose, I am so sad for you. Losing a precious friend is so hard. She sounds like a wonderful person - your guardian Angel - in life and now. Sending you hugs xo Karen

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