I am still sort of in shock. My girlfriend Kathy ( we are talking again after a fight and a long talk ) had a friend she knew since she was 5. They went to schools together grew up together and spent a lot of time together.

About 3 years ago, Kathy's other friend since childhood died of a heart attack.

Last Friday Kathy and Judy talked on the phone and were going to go out together this week. The last time they went out for coffee, Judy said that " I'm not going to live very long. " It struck Kathy as a very weird thing to say.

Kathy and I tried to call Judy since last Saturday with no response. 2 days ago she drove up to Pittsburg and tried to knock on the door with no answer. So today we went up and still no answer.

There was a definite odor coming from the locked front door. So we called the police and in the meantime we had checked her mail and found her bills still in the box, including her phone, cable and rent bill. Judy always paid her rent on time.

A neighbor came over and told the cops she hadn't seen Judy for a week either. They broke a window and found Judy slumped over her bed and she had apparently been dead for perhaps a week. She was 52.

I've lost 6 dear friends over the last 30 years, 2 in the last 2-3 years.

Judy did not leave any information on next of kin which was shortsighted of her.

I suppose I am writing this because I knew her for 30 years and just can't get over that she was ALIVE a week ago with no apparent reason to die.

It just feels so strange that perhaps she KNEW it was her time, I don't know...

- 30 -

Falkie

Again - my condolences on your loss.

True - life is precious, to be treasured and lived to the fullest.

Your post is a reminder to us all that life is too short to be consumed with regret or "what-could-have-beens."

No matter how painful, I always try to look for the lesson in any situation and use it to whatever good possible.

Sometimes the burden of pain can be lessoned simply by sharing it with another person going through the same thing.

Strength and answers are often found in the simplest solutions.

**BIG HUGS to you and Kathy**

It's always Summer at my place! xoxo

Be the change
you wish to see

Anerriphtho Kybos!

OK, so your girlfriend had a friend for many years that died.

>I suppose I am writing this because I knew her for 30 years

Wait a minute. Can't you keep your stories straight? I thought she was your girlfriend's friend. "I suppose you are writing this" because of your unquenchable need for attention and sympathy from strangers.

What the fuck is wrong with you Falkenberg? Not enough drama in your life, you have to kill off all of your friends and relatives a la KellyDD? What next, you have a millionaire girlfriend and are scheduled to appear on Howard Stern? Or will it be another life-threatening toothache?

Dianne

Have a Decadent Dianne Day