this post is a little sad, which i don't generally do.
we all have a hurt or two that we need to talk about, though....
my BLUE heaven...
thanks to SMILING SALLY for hosting this wonderful
BLUE MONDAY
be sure to go over, leave her a thank you and visit all the other ladies
that make this day so much fun....
*****************************************
Her name was MARILEE....all one name....no second name...just MARILEE.....
and I loved her so much that I can barely breath when I think that she is gone.....
********Those that know me will say, "Why, I didn't know you had a SISTER!"
MARILEE was a sister*in*law by marriage but she sure was a SISTER in my heart.
This is MARILEE, in her BLUE robe, on her 75th birthday in 2008....she passed away the very next morning.
This is MARILEE, in her BLUE robe, on her 75th birthday in 2008....she passed away the very next morning.THE VERY NEXT MORNING!! Without warning....she was gone!
What a grand birthday it was...ALL of her grandchildren were with her...as well as all of her children, brother (my Bill), all of us plus our grandchildren...
Her beautiful BLUE birthday cake....
I am just now able to even think, much less write about all this and it is NOT EASY. It's never easy when you lose someone you love so much.... The thing that settles you, that makes it bearable, that makes even the missing a tad easier is knowing how blessed you were to have them in your life. Such a wonderful GIFT FROM GOD and I thank HIM every day for letting me have such a wonderful lady close to me.
*************
What a grand birthday it was...ALL of her grandchildren were with her...as well as all of her children, brother (my Bill), all of us plus our grandchildren...
SHE WAS SO HAPPY to have everyone together..... and we were so happy to share her birthday...
Her beautiful BLUE birthday cake....BLUE was her favorite color.....
MARILEE and I had such, SUCH good times together. She was funny and witty and full of life. She loved to travel and any time Bill and I got ready to go somewhere, she had her suitcase packed almost before I did !!
My spare bedroom was HER bedroom and she came often to stay several days at a time.
*******
I learned more about the Bible from her than from any preacher I ever heard.
The magnificent thing about her....she lived every day of her life, according to that Bible.
I and everyone that knew her was so in awe of her.....
***
***
We laughed and giggled a lot when we were together....
For years, we playfully augured if cotton or nylon panties were the best...with me saying, 'COTTON, FOR SURE"...and she saying "OH, NO...HU,UHH...IT'S NYLON; THE VERY BEST!"
*************
The other day...... not long ago..... I was missing her so much I was bawling...I went straight to WALMART, bought a package of nylon panties and have been wearing them ever since....
"You were right, Marilee...nylon is waaaay better!"
*********************
I am just now able to even think, much less write about all this and it is NOT EASY. It's never easy when you lose someone you love so much.... The thing that settles you, that makes it bearable, that makes even the missing a tad easier is knowing how blessed you were to have them in your life. Such a wonderful GIFT FROM GOD and I thank HIM every day for letting me have such a wonderful lady close to me.
*************
I sure do miss you, my sister !
I sure do wish I was cleaning YOUR room, getting ready for a wonderful visit from you.
I sure do wish we could go thrifting...just one more time....
I sure do wish I could count on you to bring your fabulous Thanksgiving dressing to our house again this Thanksgiving....
I sure do wish you were at home on this coming Christmas Day and we could come to see you, bringing those homemade Christmas cookies I always brought to your grandchildren...
I sure do wish I could see you just one..more...time.... !
******************************************************* 
PINK for OCTOBER, BREAST CANCER AWARENESS MONTH.....
Sending hugs your way BJ. Thanks for sharing about your sweet sister in law.
ReplyDeleteBJ I'm back...I was just getting my coffee and thinking how lucky Bill is that you loved his sister so much. That makes for a happy family.
ReplyDeleteI am so very saddened for your loss. People we love do own a piece of our heart, and when we no longer have them, we find a hole in our heart. You are right to fill that hole with sweet memories. I know you also find comfort in knowing that she is enjoying her well-deserved place with God.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you shared with us, and I wish I could give you a big hug.
I am so sorry for you loss ,I understand how it feels to lose someone you love I recently lost my mother to cancer,my heart still hurts a lot.
ReplyDeleteIf I were closer I would hug you.
She will always live in your memory
Diane
I can't say anything better than what has been posted, so I'll just let you know you're in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Chris
Hugs from me as well.
ReplyDeleteDear BJ -
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry that you lost your sweet 'sister'. I know she was a very special lady. Treasure your memories - the fun, the laughter, the special times together. They are part of the healing when we lose someone dear to our hearts. Remember that you will see her again some day and you'll never have to say goodbye again.
Hugs,
~Adrienne~
Such a huge sweet tribute to this lady. She loved you and you in turn loved her...Just remember she is waiting in heaven to wrap her arms around you once again.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the week.
Amelia
Hey BJ,
ReplyDeleteThis is such a touching post...what a sweet lady your sister in-law is. I know you love and miss her. I think the holidays always bring sweet memories flooding back to us and it's hard. It's hard to lose the people that touch our lives and mean so much to us. They are treasures and remain with us forever. We will see them again though, one day. I believe that with all of my heart.
xoxo,
Queenie
(((( Hugs)))) From Dee
ReplyDeleteThat was such a sweet tribute to your sister in law. And we should be so thankful that one day you will be able to see her again....
ReplyDeleteBe sure and wear your silkies....
Fran
Oh BJ, the way you told us about Marilee makes me wish I could have known her too. I totally understand the aching heart and I cry silent tears everyday for my boy. I sure do wish I could hug you! ;-) Bo
ReplyDeleteHere are BIG hugs for you... It is a wonderful tribute to your sweet SIL Marilee & I know she is smiling down from heaven at you right now. It is just another case of how we should enjoy all our friends and family while they are here.. it leaves us with so many wonderful memories.
ReplyDelete(((HUGS)))
Donna
So sorry for your lose and so thankful she was a part of your life. Loss is hard, I've had quite a few. My father-in-law actually passed away on his birthday. He had been ill but we didn't think the party would end with him being rushed to the hospital.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for sharing. May the Lord replace the hurt in your heart with peace and happy memories.
Oh, BJ, I feel your heart this morning! I don't have a sister or a brother, so I really don't understand about having one. But I do understand about loving someone. How special she was to you and you have such wonderful memories. But, you know you'll see her again! That is our hope as Christians!
ReplyDeleteBe a sweetie,
Shelia ;)
How blessed you were to have her as a sister-in-law. What a bonus - a good husband plus a sister! Cherish your memories. Sally
ReplyDeleteWhat a delight she must have been, and now you have someone waiting for you in Heaven. I'm sorry for your loss, but glad that Heaven gained. Blue Monday was never meant to be blue.
ReplyDeleteI totally feel your pain through that post...in fact my nose is stinging and a few tears are forming as I type this out. I am so sorry for your loss. I can see why you are blue today. How blessed your SIL was to have someone care about her the way you did. I wish I had that in my own sister in laws, but alas, I don't. Hope you feel better today. I will be thinking about you.
ReplyDeleteThey never really quite leave us, those whom we have loved that have passed because we have so many wonderful memories holding them fast.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you BJ for your tender heart.
Betty
Oh BJGG...I'm so sorry for your loss and for you feeling sad and missing your sweet SIL. But what a lovely tribute to her. I'm sure she is smiling in heaven and thinking....that BJ what a sweetie!
ReplyDeleteBJ, That is one of the best post you have ever done.It really allowed me to see a side of you I have never seen. what a great big loving heart you have.
ReplyDeleteI know how you feel. I have had some so close to and they were my rock. I still have dreams and they are there so strong it awakes me. What I would give for one more chat and a cup of coffee.
Hugs to you,brenda
Here's another BF HUG! What a sweet tribute! I'm sure there will always be a hole in your heart until you're with her again. At least you know she died happy after such a wonderful party! LOL!
ReplyDelete(((BJ)))
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a very special woman indeed. I'm sorry your heart is aching, but Marilee is always with you as you carry her in your heart. Thank you so much for sharing a little bit of "her" with us.
What special memories you have of your sister-in-law! What an awesome relationship you had! That is trully so special. God be with you today.
ReplyDeleteOh BJ...... what a lovely tribute to your beloved sister... I am sure she felt the same way about you... you bought tears to my eyes...
ReplyDeleteBig hugs dear one
LInda
Oh, BJ your beautiful tribute to Marilee made me cry. Weren't you blessed to have a wonderful person like Marilee for a 'sister'. I love my sister-in-law too and I don't see her often enough. Your post makes me realize how much time has gone by as we get older and who knows, closer to the Lord. a wonderful blue post today dear friend.
ReplyDeleteLove...Jeanne
So sorry for your lost. It is always like a piece of our heart is gone with them too, but memories stay for ever!
ReplyDeleteLove Suzy
Oh BJ. Thank you for sharing this with us...for sharing Marilee with us.
ReplyDeleteI am so sad for your loss but oh how blessed you were to have her!
As much of a shock losing her was, just think about what a day filled with bliss she had just experienced! To be surrounded by those you love most in the world...to know they will love you alwasy and hold your memories tightly...there is no greater joy than that.
She is now your special angel and is smiling down BJ. I believe this with my whole heart. I KNOW this. And I know you will hug her again...someday...you will see her again.
I will be thinking about Marilee, and you sweet BJ, for the rest of the day...
Love,
Sue
B.J. what a sweet tribute to Marilee. I'm sorry you are hurting. May God's Spirit comfort you...
ReplyDeleteBlessings.
BJ - Your post is very special. You articulated your feelings in a way that came straight from your heart. I can understand how difficult the holidays will be for you. Thank you for sharing. You are in my prayers.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Sweetie
sorry you're feeling so sad today, but i know exactly how you feel. i also lost a dear sister-in-law and miss her all the time. we were blessed to have them as long as we did.
ReplyDeletelove, al
sending you prayers and sweet thoughts. i lost my brother and sister this past year and i know God has his plans for us but i miss them terribly. thank you for the parade of pink lights-i had my mammogram (as always) because that's what my little sis' lost her battle to and that was our (my other sisters too) promise to her. take care of yourself and cry if you want. it helps clean the soul.
ReplyDeleteWhat a blessing to have had her in your life. Wonderful memories.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing something so close to your heart. My heart hurts for you, too.
Love and Hugs,
Ruthie
Dearest BJ,
ReplyDeleteMy heart goes out to you and truly, I understand how much you're missing her because I lost such a friend as well and even after 10 years I miss her just as much. Like you, I thank God that I even had her in my life and feel so blessed that we were friends. Marilee will always be in your heart. You can bet she's looking down at you and smiling because you finally went and got nylon panties!! hehe Love you my friend. xoxo
Awe BJ, I am so sorry for your sadness. Your sister in law sounds like she was a wonderful friend. Thank goodness you have those wonderful memories that you can hold near and dear to your heart. Sending you the biggest hug. ((((((((((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))
ReplyDeletexo
Penny
BJ
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for your words of solace, what a wonderful person you are. Hope I can return the favor here--you know she is always with you like i know my brother is. Their spirit is all aorund us. Keep your faith, I saw it in every email you dear lady!
:0)
Tara
PS__I am back to posting, hope you can hop over!
BJ...that about made me cry. Marilee sounded very, very special! I know that must have been a very difficult time...and still is. Thanks for sharing Marilee with us! Susan
ReplyDeleteOh BJ, I am so sorry to hear you lost this wonderful person! While you know she is happy in heaven, the loss still hurts those left behind. I would be missing her too if she had been in my family! I bet you can just feel her smiling down at you when you are doing something that the two of you used to do together. Big hugs to you!
ReplyDeleteKady
Oh, bless your heart, what a sweet post. I know you miss your dear sister. Thanks for sharing about her.
ReplyDelete* Leaving this note to tell you how deeply touched I am by your posting of your beloved Marilee ~ how terribly sad to NOT have her around now, "physically"~~~ but, how wonderfully blessed that she WAS here WITH you, for so long, to laugh, cry and make beautiful memories with! Those memories always come, albeit with a tear AND a smile, and it's obvious you two had a very, special, once-in-a-lifetime friendship and love. My heart is with you. Blessings to those you already have, Linda/ "Mom..."
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful remembrance of your "sister". We are so blessed by those we are that close to in our hearts. And dear, you will see her again....in the by and by..... Love you BJ
ReplyDeleteRosie
Rosie's Whimsy
Thanks for sharing her with us... what a wonderful person! I do know how sad it is to miss loved ones who are gone...
ReplyDelete{{{BJ}}}
Oh BJ,
ReplyDeleteI am so sorry for your loss. Sounds like you had a wonderful relationship with your sister in law. I felt the same way when I lost my father in law. What a dear sweet man.
I came over for Tablescape Tues. and after I checked that out, I ended up in Blue Monday. What a beautiful tribute to someone who apparently had a beautiful spirt. How sad that you lost her, but, as you say, how wonderful that you had her in your life at all. Sending a prayer up for you. laurie
ReplyDeleteOh BJ, your post just touched my heart. It isn't being related by birth that makes women sisters is it? I have laughed so hard, cried tears and shared sooooo much with my sister in law. I don't have a sister, but can't imagine being closer to a "real" sister.
ReplyDeleteOh BJ, I'm so sorry about for your loss - it sounds like you all had such a wonderful time together and you have such nice memories. ~ Robyn
ReplyDeleteSweet Bj....
ReplyDeleteI'm so sorry for your loss and that she is no longer with you. This was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful person. God Bless her and you.
(((hugs and love)))
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