November 30: Hello/Goodbye

November 30.

Sigh. 

Let's start with the Goodbye. 

November 30 is the day we say goodbye to Edith. 

 

Such a beautiful woman...inside and out.

 

Edith is a woman I have known for many, many years. She passed away on the weekend, at the age of 97. She had a long, good life. Today is her funeral.

 

Her brother (and business partner) is a retired politician. It is through him that I met Edith. Even thought he was retired, he was still interested in politics. He and I would often work on campaigns together- playing very different roles during the campaign; he was the wise, seasoned politician giving advice on the campaign. I was the young, energetic teenager/20-something that worked my way up over the years from doing the menial tasks no one wanted, to running the campaign office. 

 

During the entire time, Edith was there; she was dedicated to coming to the office everyday. Edith would spend time talking to people who came in, as well as the workers. She also, voluntarily- no one asked her to- would keep our office supplied with homemade cookies, sandwiches, and soup. When I think of Edith, one of the first things that comes to mind is me working away, her placing soup and a sandwich in front of me and telling me to take a break to eat. She would keep insisting, standing by my side the entire time, until I started to eat. There was even a time or two, where she actually brought a spoon of soup/a sandwich to my mouth...haha.

Edith was supportive, encouraging, and incredibly kind. She was such a wonderful, warm and caring soul. She was always smiling. She would frequently accompany her brother to functions that I was accompanying my father to, so I got to see Edith many times over the years. She was always so happy to see me, and I was always so happy to see her. Being in Edith's presence, was always a joyful experience. 

Edith, thank you for making sure I was fed during those long days and nights. Thank you for you optimism and sunny personality. Thank you for touching my life. I will miss you so much.

November 30.

 

Sigh. 

This date marks the day that someone said 'hello' to the world by being born. It would be 20-something years later before our paths crossed by chance. He would spend the next 10.5 years being in my life. He was the most influential and important person in my life. 

 

I haven't spoken to him in about 6 months, and I am not sure that I will ever speak to him again. Not everything is meant to last...a reason, a season, a lifetime. He did so, so, so much for me.

He changed me.

He made me a better person. 

He showed me true, unconditional love. 

 

He pushed me outside of my comfort zone.

 

He calmed me down.

 

He made me laugh.

 

He put things into perspective.

He...

So many moments, incidents, experiences, memories...

Not everything was good, there was a lot of negative. But at the end of the day, no one has affected me more than he has. 

Most importantly, he believed in me. Always. More than anyone. Regardless of circumstance. 

He believed in me.