My friend...My lovely friend
Well. She's gone. The woman whose laugh could ring out across the gymnasium during league games and cause everyone who recognized it to turn their heads towards her and smile. She, of the million watt smile that could turn the worst day into something to be glad about. My friend. The one whom I could confide in and would give me a hug and a "Baby!! I hope your day gets better!!" And it was better. Because I had seen HER. She HEARD me. She SAW me. She GOT me. And now she's gone. Today at around 2:00 pm, she breathed her last breath. And I can't quite believe it, let alone be alright with it. Truthfully? I don't think I will ever be alright with it.
My friend Melody was one of a kind. She could make a person feel like they were her most important friend. I know I share this feeling with many people. Because judging by the steady stream of somber friends that made their way to her hospital room in her last days, she had made many other people feel that way too. It was her way. She had such a way about her. And knowing that I will never again get to bask in that way of hers is about more than I can bear.
Life can be really unfair sometimes. I just don't get how it's okay for a person that has only lived half their life, to suddenly be robbed of the rest of it. To have an adoring husband and two beautiful daughters who very much still want and need their wife and Mama, to suddenly all be robbed of her presence. I could rail at God for her loss. It would be so easy. But I'm thinking that a bright light like Melody will be especially missed by him too. And he has to sit back and watch it in horror like the rest of us.
As I write, I have a little reminder of Melody perched pensively on my lap. Her little dog is staying with us for as long as it takes for her family to be able to get back on their emotional feet. He's a treasure. He looks up at me every so often. Probably in wonderment of how his little head keeps getting dripped on. I came home from work today and he greeted me with kisses and "How was your day???" full body wiggles. I had to tell him that his Mama was gone. And it broke me. It was at that moment that I allowed the truth to hit me. She's gone. I haven't given a thought to what life will look like with no current Melody. I don't accept that world. It's cold. It's without texts of "Hey Girl!! When can we do lunch you gorgeous thang??" It's without the hope of seeing her at school functions and acknowledging each other with furious waving across the gym. It's a world without the famous Schlaman tight, heart-felt hug. I don't accept that world.
I really have no more words. They hurt. But please do me a favor. If you are privileged in your life to have a Melody....let them know. Tell them what a precious friend you consider them to be. They are rare. And as I have learned today, they may not be around forever. So love the hell out of them while they are.
I have no regrets. I know Melody knew that I deeply loved her. We had many close, deep talks. We had secrets. I got to tell her exactly how I felt during those last days. I know she knew what a treasure I thought she was.
I will grieve. I will grieve with her precious family and multitude of friends. All of us are in shock to tell the truth. It happened so fast. And with such finality. And none of us accept it.
If you have a minute, pray for the Schlaman family. They are solid gold. And now they are facing life without their Matriarch "Momma Schlaman." But her legacy will live on. Her multitude of friends will help them through this. It's what she would've wanted. It's what she would've done for any one of us. Because let me tell you, when you were loved by Momma Schlaman, you were LOVED. She made sure of it. Rest in Peace my beautiful precious friend. Words cannot express how much I am going to miss you, I can't fathom a world without you in it. You've set a pretty high bar for all of us to reach, in our ways of accepting and loving one another. We won't let you down. Rest easy my friend. I love you.
My friend Melody was one of a kind. She could make a person feel like they were her most important friend. I know I share this feeling with many people. Because judging by the steady stream of somber friends that made their way to her hospital room in her last days, she had made many other people feel that way too. It was her way. She had such a way about her. And knowing that I will never again get to bask in that way of hers is about more than I can bear.
Life can be really unfair sometimes. I just don't get how it's okay for a person that has only lived half their life, to suddenly be robbed of the rest of it. To have an adoring husband and two beautiful daughters who very much still want and need their wife and Mama, to suddenly all be robbed of her presence. I could rail at God for her loss. It would be so easy. But I'm thinking that a bright light like Melody will be especially missed by him too. And he has to sit back and watch it in horror like the rest of us.
As I write, I have a little reminder of Melody perched pensively on my lap. Her little dog is staying with us for as long as it takes for her family to be able to get back on their emotional feet. He's a treasure. He looks up at me every so often. Probably in wonderment of how his little head keeps getting dripped on. I came home from work today and he greeted me with kisses and "How was your day???" full body wiggles. I had to tell him that his Mama was gone. And it broke me. It was at that moment that I allowed the truth to hit me. She's gone. I haven't given a thought to what life will look like with no current Melody. I don't accept that world. It's cold. It's without texts of "Hey Girl!! When can we do lunch you gorgeous thang??" It's without the hope of seeing her at school functions and acknowledging each other with furious waving across the gym. It's a world without the famous Schlaman tight, heart-felt hug. I don't accept that world.
I really have no more words. They hurt. But please do me a favor. If you are privileged in your life to have a Melody....let them know. Tell them what a precious friend you consider them to be. They are rare. And as I have learned today, they may not be around forever. So love the hell out of them while they are.
I have no regrets. I know Melody knew that I deeply loved her. We had many close, deep talks. We had secrets. I got to tell her exactly how I felt during those last days. I know she knew what a treasure I thought she was.
I will grieve. I will grieve with her precious family and multitude of friends. All of us are in shock to tell the truth. It happened so fast. And with such finality. And none of us accept it.
If you have a minute, pray for the Schlaman family. They are solid gold. And now they are facing life without their Matriarch "Momma Schlaman." But her legacy will live on. Her multitude of friends will help them through this. It's what she would've wanted. It's what she would've done for any one of us. Because let me tell you, when you were loved by Momma Schlaman, you were LOVED. She made sure of it. Rest in Peace my beautiful precious friend. Words cannot express how much I am going to miss you, I can't fathom a world without you in it. You've set a pretty high bar for all of us to reach, in our ways of accepting and loving one another. We won't let you down. Rest easy my friend. I love you.
What a beautifully said and meaningful tribute. Thank you for putting how so many of us are feeling into just the right words. We are looking forward to having Cody on Tuesday and we will love him the best we can. Love to you and your family and to all the families who are grieving over this and love especially to the dear and amazing Schlaman family, the Nyes <3
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