The Best Christmas Gift I Could Have Ever Gotten

Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share
1

I will try to condense this story as much as I can and still make it understandable.

My best friend lives in Chesapeake VA and I live in Indiana. We actually met on line but there was an instant connection and we were like sisters. We vacationed together, we talked on the phone almost every day. We were writing partners.

In Feb. 2007, her husband called me. Pat had been in a car accident, hit head on by a drunk driver. She was in a coma. Over the next few weeks, she was declared dead 7 times and was in and out of the coma. She was in a rehabilitation center for the next year. In my opinion, she was over-medicated; she could not talk without slurring her words, her mind, her beautiful mind could not focus.

Her phone calls became less frequent, and when I called her, more often than not she would not pick up. The last time I called her, about a year ago, I left her a message on her answering machine telling her I love and miss her, but if she doesn’t call back, I would get the message and not bother her any more.

I did not hear from her.

This year, I sent her a Christmas card, just saying that I love & miss her terribly, with my phone # & e mail in it. I sent it and hoped for the best.

Today, I got a phone call with that familiar 757 area code. It was Pat. I burst out crying and so did she. We laughed together, we cried together, we promised this will not happen again.

There is nothing, absolutely NOTHING I could have gotten that would have made me happier. I don’t know why she stopped communication. It does not matter now.

I have my sister back in my life.

2

That is the most awesome story. Thanks for sharing. I recently rekindled a friendship with brother-from-another-mother after 13 years of mysterious silence. I know how awesome it is to hear that voice on the phone after so long.

But… why was she incommunicado for so long?

3

Like I said in the original post… I don’t know. I hiighly suspect that the medication had something to do with it. Plus she was-and still is- depressed over it. She went from being highly active-black belt, worked search and rescue 9/11 at the pentagon, successful show dog kennel… to being wheelchair bound and in constant pain.

So long as I have her back in my life I will forgive the why’s.

4

I’m glad she called you Papsett - you sound like a good friend. Merry Christmas!

5

That’s the nicest story. I hope your relationship with your friend continues, and she finds happiness again.

6

PapSett, I read some of your other posts about spending Christmas alone - I was so sad for you - now this!

Your very own Christmas miracle - you are a lucky lady indeed! Many would want to be in your shoes.

I hope you have lots of wonderful convos with your friend this weekend and for a long time to come.
May you both enjoy a long-lasting friendship together.

Is almost like a Christmas movie!

7

Thanks guys… I am still grinning. She gave me her new email address and I sent her off some pics of the dogs. I still can’t believe it.

8

Hooray!

9

This is the best thing I’ve read all week! I’m very happy for both of you, PapSett!

10

AWWW-RIIIIGHT!!!

That is a great present, for sure!!!

Yeeeee-Hawwww!!! (enstein).

ahem

As you were. Got a little o.z. (overzealous) there for a second.:o

Seriously, that’s wonderful PapSett, and I’m very happy for you!!! (or couldn’t you tell?):slight_smile:

Bill

11

Yes yes yes!

12

Pretty awesome, thanks for sharing :smiley:

13

I think that’s the nicest story I’ve heard all Christmas.

14

Heart-touching, indeed, lieu!

Q

15

::Sniff::

Having been depressed myself, I was demotivated to be in touch with friends, concerned that if I was in touch I would just bore them with my misery, and finally stuff like “Why would PapSett want to hear from someone as shit as me?”

But yeah, you’re right not to analyze. Lovely story.

16

Awesome:).