The Loss Of A Dear Friend & How A Yard Sale Will Help

In 1996 my family moved from Virginia to Arizona. I was 14 years old.

I was a chubby freshman in second-hand clothes who rode my second-hand bike to school.

Photo taken from this site.

My family was poor and struggled with the demands of raising 9 children.

But, we were happy, always happy.

It took a while for me to make friends. Social groups and clicks had been established long before I arrived.

I meet Christy my sophomore year of high school. Like me, she had recently moved into the area.

I’ve always been tall and insecure. My new best friend was 4’10 and beautiful.

I rode a bike and she had a car.

We went to her home almost every day for lunch.

Christy’s mom made us salami, bread and cheese sandwiches.

I’d never had salami and remember the first time I tried the spicy delicious meat. I felt like I could eat the entire package.

I was hooked on salami and afternoons at Christy’s house.

Her parents were kind and always willing to share.

Many years later, the counselor and I purchased a home in the same area.

We attended the same church as Christy’s parents, Mike and Linda.

Linda visited me frequently in my home. When I had a new baby she shared hand-made baby blankets and a loaf of home-made bread.

The visits were sincere, her smile contagious and our conversations were full of laughter and memories.

Linda contracted breast cancer six months ago and passed away December 28, 2009.

She fought long and hard, giving it everything she had. Mike remained by her side, faithfully, for every surgery and doctor’s visit. He forwent any work that came his way and his income has been non-existent the entire six months.

I was heart broke when I heard Linda passed away. Christy lost her mom, so young. Mike lost his sweet companion, his best friend. Linda had another dear daughter named Andrea and a sweet son named Spencer. What will they do without their mom?

Death makes you ask lots of painful questions about yourself and those you love. I've struggled with the thoughts “How will I deal with losing my own mom? My own spouse?”

I am grateful for my faith in Jesus. He is who helps us through difficult times.

We donated, as did many, to the Linda Call Funeral Contribution, but Mike and his family are still struggling to pay for funeral costs.

So, in honor of what I do best, and in honor of Linda, I’m holding a

neighborhood yard sale.

I am collecting anything that you’ve set aside to be sent to the thrift store.

Clothes, books, furniture, toys, etc.

If you don’t have anything to donate, but still want to help, I am also holding a bake sale.

You can drop off cookies, brownies, cupcakes, etc.

Please bring items by no later then Friday night (but I’ll still take stuff Saturday morning).

Below is the information for the sale. Please email me and I will send you over the address to my home.

When: Saturday, January 9, 2010

Time: 7:30am – 1:00pm

lauralofgreen@aol.com

Thank you in advance for anything you want to do to help.