Saturday, February 1, 2014

Missing Monica

Have you ever had one of those days when you just seemed to be stuck?  Have you ever been present in the current moment with your head so far in the past, well... it just doesn't seem real?  Have you ever had a life triggering event that took your thoughts back to memories of "days gone by"?

No?  Well, up until yesterday, I didn't think I was old enough for that either.  Barely still a 48-year-old-grey-haired-hott-PD-bloggin-mama-of-four, I really still feel invincible - like I can still do all those things like play and party hard like our old high school days.  (Don't tell my kids!)

Most of my quiet time occurs in the shower.  So this morning as the hot water steamed up the mirror, my mind was grinning at the thoughts of Lief Garret, closet elevators, chocolate chip pancakes, silly sleepovers, and Farra Fawcet hairdos!

So, when did all this yucky big people stuff like mortgages, taxes, flu, school... Parkinson's, lymphoma, breast cancer, and now ovarian cancer creep up on us all.  Funny how it takes such tragedies to make us stop and hear God in the little things.  For me, it's that gentle tap on the shoulder (or sometimes a smack in the head) when I hear Him whisper, "Excuse me, can I tell you something?"  Enjoy today.  Live happy.  Love more.

Take me back to 1972 please.  Let's do high school all over again.  Although I haven't seen Monica in years (since planning our 20 year high school reunion in 2003), the news of her struggle with ovarian cancer has saddened our small school-day community and spread across the country.  Thanks for posting this picture on facebook, Lisa.  Sure brings back memories!

R.I.P. 
Monica Lynn Newbraugh Bowers
February 12, 1965 - January 31, 2014

"He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away."  Revelation 21:4