I was 22. Had been unemployed for over a year, in the last big recession.
My buddy Jim and I both got jobs at the same time in a factory producing computer disks. (The early 80's). The hours were long, but the money was good, and we knew how to spend it! We were young, gifted and black! (Okay, we were young!)
One of the first friends I made there, (if not THE first) was Peggy. A more glamourous 'older' woman you could not meet. (She was in her early forties!) She always looked out for me, making sure I was eating enough etc. (I had just left home and was making my way in the big bad world!)
We became good friends, a friendship which lasted for a long time. Peggy had her ups & downs, as does everybody, but she always shone through, and never seemed to let things get the best of her. Good times or bad she came to work every day with the 'face' on, hair done, and best 'gladrags' adorning her body!
A few months back I went to visit her in a nursing home. She was suffering from a condition which had her confined to a wheelchair, her body wracked in involountary convulsions, her speech slurred, yet her mind as sharp as the first day I met her. It broke my heart to see her like this, yet her wit was as bright as ever! And she was the one who cheered me!
Peggy passed away yesterday, she had been moved from the home to our regional hospital, suffering from breathing difficulties, and her condition deteriorated rapidly.
She will be missed by the many, many friends she made in that factory that changed the lives of a lot of people (another story!), and even before I go to see her laid out in her coffin tomorrow, I know that she will be glamourous to the end.
Farewell Peggy, I will miss you dearly, you will not be forgotten.
my deepest condolences, dear map, to you and to all who knew and loved her - she sounds quite the "grand dame" who knew how to live life to the fullest and who gave all she had to life and to those around her! what a lady! i salute her!
ReplyDeletehugs and many caring thoughts, map -
xxxxx
Sorry to hear of your loss..but she lives on in the good deeds she did and in the minds of those who love her.
ReplyDeleteMy sincerest condolences Mapstew good friends are priceless and heart breaking to lose!
ReplyDeleteA very good tribute to her, mate.
ReplyDeleteCondolences Maps.
ReplyDeletea lovely tribute to a friend, sugar. my condolences. xoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteMy heartfelt condolences to you, Map. A friend to the end, you were. She will always live on in your heart, hon. xoxoxoxoxo
ReplyDeleteThe best thing someone can say when we're gone is that we made a difference. You said it well and obviously Peggy lived that way. My condolences to you and her family.
ReplyDeleteIt is always so sad when friend who gave something special in our life pass away. The part of you own life goes away with a friend.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences.
What wonderful memories you must have of her. Thinking of you.
ReplyDeleteThere aren't enough Peggys in the world. May she rest in peace and bless you for supporting her when she needed it.
ReplyDeleteMy condolences Map
ReplyDeleteMap, you are a good man. You can see it in your writing. All condolences from across the big divide.
ReplyDeleteAll. I have just spent the last half hour writing a thank you to you all, and then pressed the wrong something or other, (I have been drinking!). Anyhoo, the gist of which is, you are good pals, all of you! And thanks. Tomorrow! :¬)
ReplyDeletexxx
She will live on in many hearts.
ReplyDeleteWe are lucky when we meet someone like Peggy in our life time
Seems the good ones are few and far between, raise a pint of the black gold, a wee dram of the Powers and sing a song to her smile.
ReplyDeleteCondolences mate, it's never easy when a good friend passes.
ReplyDelete