Not Goodbye, but see you later, dear friend

Yesterday one of mama's dear friends died.  They weren't friends as young women, probably never knew each other at all until they both moved in a retirement center near the same time.  

They became fast friends in the last part of their lives, the winter as it's sometimes called.  

Louise was a character.....earlier in her life she was a clown....literally.  She dressed as a clown for parties and such.  She and mama and another lady became close during the last few years.  When mama got to the point that she couldn't hold a book to read, Louise came down every night and read to her.  She did that until she became too short of breath to read aloud, then the other friend took over.

Louise never liked you to tell her how nice she was....she would give you her frown and say Now I am not nice!  But she was.  

It is an odd friendship that begins at the end of life.  In the young years, women talk about their children (now maybe they still did that!), about recipes and cooking, about their husbands, about their dreams and desires and goals.  I wasn't privy to their private conversations, but I would imagine they turned more around what was going on in their little community, their past, their grandchildren.

Louise and Margaret (the other Margaret as we call her) and Mama are pictured above along with my SIL at one of mama's birthday lunches.  Louise is in the melon jacket.

Louise was always dressed up and had her makeup just right.

Today she is clothed in the righteousness of Christ....in a more beautiful gown than any bride has ever worn.  Today she is drinking from the fountain that never shall run dry.
Yesterday Louise entered into the presence of Christ!

So, although it is sad for her family and friends because we will all miss her here on earth, it is a joyous day for Louise, one she had anticipated all of her Christian life.

At the bottom of her obituary, her children used this scripture....

Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of His saints.  Psalm 116:15


Her funeral tomorrow will be held on her 90th birthday!