This year has gone by so fast.  Can't believe it is October already.  The leaves are starting to fall.  I miss the brilliant colors this year.  It seems we've had so much rain lately and that discourages the coloring of the leaves. 

I lost a dear childhood friend this summer, Sherry Pleasants Stiles.  As kids, we used to watch Red Skelton.  My cousin, Carol, and I would repeat the "Gertrude and Heathcliff" seagull jokes he told.  From that time on, Sherry called me "Gertrude" most of the time.  So much that if I left her a voicemail, I just say "it's Gertrude, call me."   The first time I visited her flower shop, she was out on a delivery or for a consultation.  I asked for a piece of paper to leave her a note.  I signed it "Gertrude" which is not a common name these days.  Her staff looked at the note - I could tell they were looking at the signature.  I just told them that's not my real name, but she'll know who it is!  Sherry told me as soon as she got back, they were telling her there was a lady here named "Gertrude."  Sherry laughed and said I know who it is.  Sherry's daughter even called me Gerturde half of the time. 

I miss her so much.  Sherry had a smile that lit up a room. Her eyes sparkled like no others. Sherry was loved by everyone that met her. Her facial expressions were priceless and usually produced a laugh.  We always laughed when we were together. 

As the seasons change, I'm reminded of her. Sherry was a nature lover. She owned a flower shop, loved her kids, grandkids, and people in general.  Sherry was always up for an adventure.  She was a wonderful cook and had cooked for a hunting lodge out West.  I'll never forget the day she called and asked me if I'd like to go with her one day.  (I told her considering I need my scooter for long distances, this could get interesting - she just laughed and said I'll call you when I go again.)  She was hoping to open a lodge where underprivileged children could experience the outdoors and learn about plants and nature.   

Lou Gehrig's disease tried to rob her of her joy, but it couldn't.  It may have stolen her ability to talk and walk, but it couldn't steal that sparkle in her eyes.  The last time I saw her, she struggled to make her hand write on the dry erase board.  She wrote "I'll see you in Heaven."  Yes, you will!  I love you my friend - I'll see you again someday, Gertrude.