Friends are "SO" good!!

On the 23rd of September, the movers came to take what furniture I am keeping, and put it in storage.  My friend, Barb came down from Akron to keep me company during this move!!  It was such a sad day, that I mostly cried.  So, of course, I called my younger sister, Gail, and upset her.  However, she was, as usual, great support! 

Barb was great support, as she has always been (since 1974!) and I was very happy to have her.  The next day, we were getting ready for the "great garage sale", and I was still upset and nervous, but Barb kept her cool.  She simply spoke calmly and clearly to me, as if I were just out of an asylum, and kept me going forward!!

Saturday, my other friend, Barb, came up from Parrish to assist with the sale!  They were such great help!!  Otherwise, I would have just thrown it all in the trash!  (To be perfectly honest, if I had to make a living running garage sales, I would definitely have to live in my car!!) 

The sale went quite well; probably 75% of what we had out was sold.  Of course, we were told several  times that we had everything priced much less than everyone else - which, I thought, was the point!!

Anyway, onward and upward!  The next step is to repaint what I painted in our apartment, get the carpet cleaned and close the door.  The carpet cleaning and door closing will occur next Thursday, and I am certain that will be another very, very sad day.

Meanwhile, my younger son, Shawn and his partner, Amy, are arriving in a few hours to help me paint.  He is always upbeat and will be lifting all of our spirits!  So, until, probably Friday, have a good week.  Thanks for tuning in.  Ricci

Dragging my feet in the sand

Hi Everyone!  You know, after I went to my 50th high school reunion from Lakewood High School (Lakewood, Ohio), and, after having just a wonderful time greeting old friends and classmates, I couldn't wait to get back to get this thing on the road!!

When I first returned, the packing was going great!  Even though it is a whole six weeks until I actually start on the road, the movers are coming to pick up the stuff for storage on Thursday.  So, I find myself finding reasons to not finish the packing completely because this actually puts the exclamation point on the end of the chapter of my life for me and Mike! Until this week, I just didn't realize how difficult it is going to be to actually leave the keys and walk out the door.  I just don't have the words to tell you how sad it is!

Certainly, those of  you who have been through this loss know how I feel and have felt the same yourselves.  It is said that the things that do not kill us, only serve to make us stronger, and I am sure that is correct.

So, enough whining!  Thanks so much for listening (or reading, as the case may be)!  Back to the packing!  Thursday, I will give you an update.  I promise not to become the "whining widow"!  Ricci

Prologue

You know, I have tried to write this "prologue" several times, but it seems so maudlin!  Widowhood is definitely tragic enough, that I don't want to make it worse.  Being blessed with a "Pollyanna" attitude, it really makes me feel better to see the positive side.

I had 27 years of a great relationship with a guy who thought I could leap tall buildings in a single bound.  And, since, we really do all have to go sometime, I guess I am lucky he never found out I couldn't.

He was good to the bone, also had an exceptionally positive attitude, a great sense of humor - and could do a mean jitterbug!!

The packing is almost complete - a very difficult thing to do as it represents closing the book on a really great chapter of my life.  While packing though, I came across about 20 letters Mike had written to me in the "beginning great heat" of our romance.  They were wonderful letters and served to make me feel so good to have had someone in my life who still thought I was the love of his life 27 years later!

So dear friends, while missing him terribly, I have wonderful memories and will try to make this journey fun for everyone.  Take care, Ricci

The end - and now, the beginning

Well, we have the real housewives and every other reality show, so how about something about the "real widows"?!  I mean the REAL WIDOWS, as opposed to those who are lucky enough not to have to worry about the financial aspect of it.

On June 7, I lost the love of my life quite suddenly (the end).  We had a wonderful 27 year romance, so I know I was quite fortunate to have him.  Until that day, I always thought I would remain in Florida forever.  However, now I find I don't quite know where I belong.

My husband was absolutely the nicest person in the world, but money was not his long suit. In order to live anywhere, I will have to get a full time job, so I better really want to live there!

I have decided to take a "road trip" and visit friends and relatives to see what I like.  There will be many things I have never seen in this great country (and, perhaps, some great golf courses to be tried)!!  Gina (our West Highland Terrier) will be accompanying me on this journey (photo above).

Movers will be here on the 23rd of September to pick up what will remain in storage, whereupon, I will go to a friend's until the 1st of November when I will leave for this adventure (the beginning).

It will certainly be interesting to find what fate has in store for me, and I intend to have a wonderful time finding out!

If you are interested, I will be doing regular postings to see how this works, and I would love to hear from any of you who have been through the same loss!  Ricci