Sally was one of my "baby-house buddies". Their four children were a little older than our four, and arranged boy, boy, girl, and boy just like ours. I had so much confidence in her and felt like she would know the answers to all my questions!This lovely picture of Sally, Dick, and Leah B. was taken in August of 2006, at our before-convention hymnsing. Sally had been diagnosed in February, 6 months prior, and we were thrilled that she and Dick and Leah came up to be with us that night. Her choice of hymn was 278, "Oh, for the peace of a perfect trust". Two years and a month later we were singing it at her funeral.
We knew that Sally was very low when we went to Demorest. Donna had talked to Arlene K. on the telephne from Demorest and heard that Sally was in a coma.
Friday morning we were waiting quietly for the meeting to begin, and Lily C., who was sitting at the other end of the row from us, sent us a note which said, "Did you hear that Sally Clites died this morning?" Somehow, the finality of it all hit me very hard. Even though I could not wish her back in her diseased body, I still keenly felt the loss of a very good friend and example. Within about 20 seconds or so, the meeting began and it took me a while to get my emotions under control and the flow of tears stopped.
Then we went to lunch, and lo and behold, we were served chicken and noodles, the meal that Dick and Sally have cooked together for our Newry convention! More sad/happy memories.
By evening meeting, I thought I was getting kinda situated, but then they gave out the first hymn, "Life's short day will soon be over" and more memories came--that was the hymn Dick had talked on their blog about them singing after they came home from their last trip to Johns Hopkins.
I was glad to get to Sally's funeral on Tuesday with Joan H. By the number of people there, it was clearly evident that there were other people who loved Sally like I did! I was glad to see and visit with Dick's cousin, Dinah D., whom I had not seen for over 30 years.
Yes, Sally was quite a lady and will be long remembered amongst her friends for the example she was in word and deed.
2 comments:
Alma,
Thanks so much for sharing your blogspot with us. I am sitting her in tears after reading your blog. Mom was truly special to not only her family, but to God's family as well. We are so thankful to be part of such a family, the love and comfort is overwhelming. Although I did not get a chance to speak with everyone as I would have like to at the funeral, I was grateful to see so many there. We appreciated all those who shared the day with us.
Much Love,
Sue and family.
Alma, I just had to re-read this posting while I was at your blogspot.. I do appreciate the things that you shared with all about Sally.. Some of our favorite memories were of convention activities, and other special occasions with the friends such as your pre-convention hymn sing.. It was there that we learned of the "Friends National Anthem", Hymn 32 which we sang often at subsequent gatherings of the Friends. Days are lonely, but these rich memories brighten even the darkest days..
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