Tuesday, July 29, 2008

Go Softly into the Night...

They found my neighbor, Joyce, dead in her bed this morning at assisted living.  Mom called me and I broke down in tears.  Joyce was such a good friend and neighbor.  I feel like I have lost her twice.  Once to assisted living and again with her death. 

67 comments:

Annabel said...

I am so very sorry. I know how much you cared about Joyce.

madamspud169 said...

I am so sad to hear this, she always sounded like such a wonderful person. Hopefully she will now be at rest because as you know she didn't want to go to assisted living.

Please don't let this set you back or plunge you into deep depression. She wouldn't want that. I'm sure she would want you to remember the good times, the meals shared, the laughs.

Rene' Morris said...

Oh no! I am so sorry. Reading your posts about her made me feel like I knew her a little bit too. Thanks for sharing with us. I am so sorry that you've lost her. :*-( Prayers for you and her family.

Judy said...

You were such a good friend to her. She is at peace now.

Jean said...

Bless your heart. A terrible loss for you. In time, it will feel different as it is now while your loss is so keen. Memories of Joyce will be precious. How fortunate you were to have her in your life.

PipeTobacco said...

Sir:

I am very sorry.

Do they know what happened? Was it medication induced?

PipeTobacco

C.A. said...

Oh Andrew...I am so very sorry.

You were the very essence of what a true friend is to Joyce, and I think she knew that. Please be gentle with yourself in the coming days. Think of Joyce now being pain free and happy and at peace.

Big hugs to you, my friend....

C.A.

Stephanie said...

I have been reading your blog for months now and never commented but this one post saddens me. Please know I'm thinking of you and hoping that you remember the good times you had with Joyce. Take care of yourself.

Lady Elaine said...

Andrew;

Many many hugs for you. Joyce was a very important part of your life, and the best way you can honor her is to remember her with joy, laughter and light. She is at peace, and her life was made better for knowing you.

impromptublogger said...

Big big hugs to you. I am so very sorry - I know what a great friend she has been to you, and vice versa. I hope they figure out why she passed and hopefully knowing she isn't suffering anymore will comfort you.

STACY'S TRIP said...

oh my god. i gasped when i read this post. i'm sorry. i don't have any advice just sorrow for you.

kristi said...

I am so sorry for your loss of a great friend. She is at peace now.

Portia said...

I'm so sorry, Andrew. I know you two shared a very special friendship. May she rest in peace.

Lara said...

I'm very sorry.

You were such a good friend to her.

greglo said...

What a sad sad news. Joyce has been very fortunate to have had a neighbour like you. I remember all the comfort she got from you and that you shared with us. I also remember all the good things you shared and got from her.
She is at peace now. I hope in time you'll share some of that peace in your heart and mind.
Best thoughts and wishes from here in Southern France from one of your reader who don't comment much anymore but who's always reading you several times a day!
Love to you Andrew,
Laurent

Moonroot said...

Dear Andrew,
I'm so sorry to hear this news. Joyce sounded like a lovely lady and I know how much you cared about her.
Thinking of you and sending a virtual hug.

Tod said...

I've been a lurker here for a while and I had to just say how sorry I am to hear this sad news.

I think that Joyce got a lot of pleasure from your company while she was your neighbour.

Bridget said...

I'm so sorry to read this. You were a good friend to her. She'll be at peace now, though.

Jessica said...

Andrew,
I was shocked and saddened to read this post. I'm so sorry.

justLacey said...

This was so shocking. Hopefully, Joyce has found some peace at last. I am so saddend to hear this. I know how much she meant to you and how much you missed having here nearby.

LM said...

Dear Andrew,
I am so sorry for your loss. You were such a good friend to Joyce.

Mo said...

Andrew, I am so sorry to hear of your loss.

I hope you are able to take comfort in the love you shared and the memories you have of her.

I bet she is looking over you and Maggie right this minute and will continue to do so.

****HUGS****

mago said...

Oh man, sad news. May she rest in peace.

ellesu said...

I am so sorry. I hope you find peace in the fact that you were there for her. God bless.

CJM-R said...

Oh Andrew,

I am so sorry to hear that you lost such a good friend. Please accept my sympathies.

I felt so sad and shocked when I read your post today, that it brought tears to my eyes.

You were such a great friend and strong support for her.

Tee said...

Andrew, I am so sorry. I know Joyce was a friend and neighbor. It made me really sad to read about this news.

Sharyna said...

I am soooooo sorry for your loss! I don't know what else to say.

sharyna

Michelle said...

Andrew,
I am so sorry for your loss. Please take comfort knowing you have a wonderful angel looking over you.

Anonymous Boxer said...

Oh! I'm so very, very sorry. You were so kind and good to her.... she was lucky you were there. I always loved reading about her and felt bettr knowing she had you ... and you had her.

You are both in my prayers.

jane said...

i am so very sorry. you treated her wonderfully and it helped her.

all good thoughts to you this sad evening,
jane

Thodgson said...

I am sorry for your loss, Andrew.

Kevin said...

terrible man. i'm sorry to hear. i wish you the best. take care.

Ryan said...

I'm sorry to hear that. This is the first time reading a blog has actually made my heart skip a beat.

Jenn said...

This comment has been removed by the author.

Jenn said...

Andrew...I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.
Prayers from Kansas.

agent wife said...

I'm so sorry Andrew. We have been to lots of funerals and it is always so hard, especially when you lose someone so close. My heart goes out to you. May you know some measure of comfort and peace in all this.

Ellie said...

I am so sorry! Please know that everyone hear on blogger, including me, is here for you! You do what you need to do. I know it must be hard. You are so brave!

Much gratitude,

Ellie.

Anne said...

Andrew, I am so sorry to hear you lost a friend and neighbor. You were so kind to her.

Cheryl said...

I'm so shocked Andrew! I hope you share some details with us. I know how much you cared for her. You were a good friend and neighbor. Let's hope she's so happy now that she can't hardly stand it.

Please stay strong. You can do it.

Lynette said...

You have my greatest sympathy. Your affection for her was clear in your writing. I know you will miss her, but remember the good things and it is easier.

Buster's Momma said...

We hope that the memories of the good times that you shared with Joyce will comfort you during this difficult time.
Hang in there. When you feel the urge to do something that you shouldn't, take Maggie for a long walk. It'll be a good escape for both of you.

Blue Gardenia said...

Sorry Andrew

2sunset said...

O Heavenly Father, in Jesus name,

I thank you for holding Joyce in your arms as she passed through the threshold of life and death. I thank you Lord for comforting her, bringing her to the clearest point of sanity, purest place of love, and removing all pain and confusion.

Lord, I just want to lay out my thanks that you held your child Joyce, and allowed her to feel the adoration, acceptance and peace that she had so longed for, in Jesus name Amen.

Shelly said...

This is my first time commenting...and I'm so sorry for your loss. You were a good friend to her...hold on to you're memories. You're in my thoughts.

ry said...

i'm sorry to hear that.
its hard when a friend dies, especially one so close.

Windrider said...

I'm so very sorry Andrew...

I just don't know what to say other than I'm very sorry for your loss of a friend.

You and Joyce shared some special times together. I remember reading about them.

I wish you peace Brother,

Windrider

Arleen said...

Oh, Andrew. How unexpected and sad to read this. My heart goes out to you.

In sympathy,

Arleen

Robbin with 2 B's! said...

My heart is with you Andrew on the loss of your friend. I recently lost my 30 year old son and the pain is unbearable. Be strong and know how many of us care about you here. I've had you on my blogroll forever but have never commented, just wanted to always know you were well. If you watch closly in the next few days she'll let you know she is ok and happy. I promise.

anonymous said...

She sure was batshit crazy, but you treated her with kindness.

justLacey said...

Wow, you see how many people you have reading? Who knew? And all reached out to you in your time of sadness. You are a lucky man.

simonsays said...

Oh darlin...I'm so sorry.

Many hugs.

:(

Summer said...

I'm so sorry honey.

amelia said...

How very sad!

Why did she die? Do they know?

wstaple said...

So sorry for your loss. I know you cared for her.

pattycakes said...

sorry to hear about joyce andrew , she was a special friend to you and you took good care of her and she really loved you . take peace in that , keep going on with your life the way you have been , she would want you to . bless you she is at peace finally from her demons

Tammy said...

I am so sorry Andrew. I know how much she meant to you. She sounded like a wonderful lady.

Joanne said...

Take care Andrew

barefoot 303 said...

I am so very sorry to hear this news. Your writing about her was a vein in which she could touch so many more people and by the response to your post, you can see this manifest.
I pray she went peacefully and in resting with angels like her.

I pray for your comfort in this time.
j

Diana said...

I am so sorry Andrew. You have my deepest sympathy. Be kind to yourself.

Brad said...

I'm so sorry Brother - I know she meant so very much to you.

M said...

Oh my. I am so sorry! I loved hearing about Joyce. This is shocking. You were a good neighbor to her and if there is a heaven, she will be up there looking out for you.

Jones said...

I'm so very sorry for your loss Andrew, you were a good friend to her. Friendships are treasures and it was obvious that you treasured your friendship with her. Take care my friend. Be at peace.

Leon said...

My thoughts are with you Andrew. Just remember that as long as you keep good memories of Joyce, she will still be alive for you.

Ghost Writer said...

I think it's wonderful that you have memoralized Joyce's life on your blog and with all of these people that loved the character that was her. You gave her a legacy. My deepest condolences.

AlabamaGal said...

I am so sorry to hear about Joyce's death. I know you cared for her a lot and your memories together as friends can never be taken away. Hold onto those memories.

Michelle

CRUSTYBEEF said...

Dear Andrew, I am so very sorry to hear that! I remember when you moved in to your home and you first noticed Joyce and you said right away that you liked her and could tell that you would get along with her as your neighbor...

I hope time will heal you and now at least Dear Joyce's mind is at rest and is peaceful!
My thoughts to you,
elizabeth

Francesca said...

So, so sorry! I know how you loved and cared for her. Please take care...

God Bless you!