goodbye amy, goodbye

I went to a funeral this week. I have been to many funerals in my life. If I stick around this life for awhile, I guess I'll be going toa few more.
One thing I learned was that people appreciate so much to have you there. They remember who was there to support them when they need you. And they don't forget who was not there.
My friend Joyce needed me. she needed anyone and everyone who loves her and her daughter, Amy.
Joyce was living every mother's nightmare: the death of her child. In this instance, her only child, not yet thirty-five years old.
In the circle of life, Amy leaves a young daughter. And Joyce gets a second run at raising a daughter.
At the luncheon after the srevice, we were talking of old times. The conversation got to my stint as a bartender. As a new widow, I got a part-time job at the local bowling alley. It was life-saving for me at the time.
My boss was Amy, a young woman who understood shere i was coming from. We immediately became pals, even though I had about forty years on her.
After I moved, I lost contgact as often happens. So I asked how Amy was, and did she get married.
Amy had died that morning. She, like Joyce's Amy, a young mother, leaving three small children.
This week I will be going to another funeral for another Amy.
When I got home, I didn't even go into the house. I got out of my car and walked d own to the lake. It was rainy and gloomy. The slight breeze was chilly.
I was sad from head to toe. I knew better than to ask myself or anyone else why. Life is what it is. The circle of life is small. Some smaller than others.
If there is one positive thing I can take away from this day, it is to put things into perspective. It is a daily thing for me to figure out what is important in this life.
Family goes without saying. Personally, I want to be a nice person, thinking of others and where they are coming from. It's not as important to be liked by all as it was when I was young.
I think that's what happens when people get old and become curmudgeons. We bowed out of the popularity contest long ago.
It is important for me to keep my brain intact as long as possible. I don't ever want to lose my passion about a few things in my life.
At the top of the list is the lake. I can walk down there, and for that few moments, everything is right with the world.
I don't know when it became a lake. I do know it will be here long after I am just a memory.
On this day, I stood at the end of my pier and looked all around the shoreline. There was not a hint of sunshine. i didn't even see a fish jump. I didn't see a boat, or anyone on their dock. It was just the lake and me.
There was no happiness that day, just sadness. And peace....
At first, I had ended this column with, "Today the kitchen is closed." But then I thought that is not what we do. We take the time to make a memory. But then the best thing is to just "keep on keeping on."
Amy went to beauty school. Her favorite treat at break time was a bar her mom used to make and put in her lunch.
MONKEY BARS for Amy
you will need:
1 large ripe banana 1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar 1 egg
1/2 cup soft butter 1 t vanilla
1/2 t cinnamon 1 cup flour
1 t baking powder 1/2 cup nuts
Beat all ingredients except egg and flour
beat in egg and add flour
bake for 25 minutes in well greased 13x9 pan
cool, cut into bars and ENJOY!