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Wednesday, March 21, 2012

with disbelief...

My friend Lou passed away this morning.

I am heartsick. Regretful for all the times I didn’t answer his texts when he wanted to stop by and see me at work and all of the times I got frustrated at him for embarrassing me, which was one of his favorite things to do. Lou had a heart of gold, even if it was wrapped in a strange package. He was the most generous person I have ever known in this life, giving of his time, his help, his money, his love without ever expecting anything in return besides companionship and loyalty.

He struggled. He struggled so much and so long and I wasn’t there for him the way I should have been. I was just thinking yesterday how the first night my mom was in the hospital to have surgery to remove her tumor, Lou was frantic out here on the east coast making calls to one of his good friends who worked for a top cancer hospital, advising me, supporting me, begging me to move her back here so she could have the best care. A year later, his own mother was diagnosed with the same cancer. Our moms fought their battles together, 3000 miles apart and his mom lost hers much sooner than mine did. It brought me to my knees the morning I got that call from him, and I struggled for the first time with that indescribable feeling you get when someone you love dies….the disbelief. The ‘this is just a joke, I’ll just call her up tomorrow and we’ll have a good laugh about it’. I'm having that feeling again today....this morning I am consumed by it. I think trying to understand how it’s possible that you will never hear a person’s voice again, never be able to hug them, laugh with them, make new memories, is one of the strangest mental conflicts we experience in this life….how can it be that everything we knew just vanished? It’s gone, just like that. How is that POSSIBLE? And above all, how does GOD allow it? Don’t talk to me about a better place, a bigger plan, and about faith. Right now, I am angry and I want my friend back….and our moms too, while we’re at it.

Lou took me in when I had no place to go after I got in the fight with my roommate that ended our 7 year friendship and ultimately landed me back in California. I spent Christmas Day with his family that year, eating his mom’s ricotta cheesecake, watching the snow fall; warm, happy and feeling loved.

Lou introduced me to my husband.

Louie, you will be missed, more than you ever believed you would be. I am so thankful to have the memories, funny & ridiculous, raw & deep, that belong only to us. I will always be proud to have called you my friend. I love you, LouLou.

10 comments:

noreenmarie said...

Oh Rach, I'm so sorry. I met him at CDS one year. SUCH a sweet man, with a heart of gold. So, so sad.
I'll be thinking of you. xoxo

Jenn said...

Oh Rach-I am so sorry for your loss. No words make you feel better-I know from experience..but you are in my thoughts XO

noreenmarie said...

I just tagged you in 1 of the pics from that CDS. Love you.

Amanda @ Raising Miss Mommy said...

I'm so sorry to hear about your loss. He sounds like he was an amazing friend to you, I'm sure he is looking down wishing he could hug you and say it's going to be ok. Sending prayers, love, and strength your way.

Anonymous said...

You know better than me that there are no words I could say to make this better. Cherish those memories. You and Lou will be in my thoughts more than usual.

Emily @ Emmy June said...

So sorry for your loss, Rach :(

Skye said...

Oh no. I am so sad for you. I Hate to hear this. He sounds like a wonderful human being & amazing friend. I wish we all knew the answer to why these terrible things happen. There is no good answer. Ever. So sorry. Thinking about the good times is the only way to get through it. God bless. xoxo

Amber said...

I am so sorry for your loss, I can't imagine losing a loved one. I am thinking of you.

Sabrina Horton said...

I'm so sorry for your loss, Rach. Lou sounded like a great guy!

Brie Bemis @ Sophistifunk said...

I'm so sorry for your loss :(