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marcoujor: Time Marches On

3/19/2017

22 Comments

 
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"True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils. Strive to have friends, for life without friends is like life on a desert island... to find one real friend in a lifetime is good fortune; to keep him (her) is a blessing."

 (Baltasar Gracian)
​
Happy March 19th Birthday to my dear friend, Karen.


I first met Karen in the Fall of 1979 as we entered the Nursing program of Villanova University.
​

It’s mind boggling that 38 years have passed since we met. We are now friends for life.
​Like true sisters, we are both eerily similar and wildly opposite. We share the same core values, including a purposeful passion for our families and the nursing profession. We are as different in musical tastes as Kansas 🙂 is to Steely Dan 🙁.

​
Although months may pass before we have time to connect, we’re able to pick up right where we left off. This includes our gift exchanges. With us, it’s never too late or early to give Christmas and birthday gifts.

I wanted to share my recent Christmas gift from Karen, who has an intuitive ability to select what is perfect for me.

Check out my Yellow and Black Labrador Retriever Whirligig. Karen knows the love I feel for my own Labs, both past and the present.

My husband assembled this sentimental gift for me. He temporarily placed it in a Rubber tree that has travelled from me to my Mom and back to me again for the past seven years. I’m convinced my ‘see saw of sweetness’ belongs here permanently--a center of life, longevity, balance and joy.
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So, dear Karen, wishing you a birthday and year to come filled with family, friends, fitness and fun. Hope you enjoy this song, my ‘old’ friend, as well as the Steely Dan tune linked above. I’ll understand if you pass on the Kansas number... 😊​
Hello Old Friend by Eric Clapton ​

​I will miss wishing another friend a Happy Birthday this year on March 26th. Speaking of longevity, Fouad Abdel was our Veterinarian for the (soon-to-be) thirty years of our marriage.

Since the Fall of 2016, Fouad’s health had been on the decline. Until he was placed on hospice care, he was selflessly faithful to the dogs, cats and ‘their parents’ that he served. While his body failed, his mind was ever sharp. When I visited, he asked about Andy, by name, most every time.

Sadly, he never met or knew about Zoey. I know he would have been pleased with our decision to adopt, as he believed in the positive social and emotional benefits of sibling pets.

Since mid-January, it has been sadly unreal to see a ‘For Sale’ sign on Fouad’s adjoining home and office. I knew the day was coming and that Fouad was ready. I could see him growing increasingly weary and weak.

And on March 26th, just one week from today, I know there will be a joyful celebration in heaven. Fouad met Sarah in the late 1990s. She was first a customer, when she brought her beloved poodle to a new veterinarian. In a casual conversation, they discovered a shared birthday.

Fouad’s face filled with smiles as he told me stories of their four years together. He called Sarah his soul mate. He told me he could not wait to be reunited with her. Now he is, along with so many four-legged friends he made along the way, including Jake, Katie, Ninny, Chuckie, Daisy and Scottie (our kitties), along with Alvin and Aunt Baby, all of whom thrived under his compassionate care.

I will never forget Fouad, tough as nails on the outside, marshmallow-soft in the middle.

Doc, this song is all for you...
Goodbye My Friend By Linda Ronstadt ​
​Until next time, wishing you time and memories with those you love,

mar
22 Comments
Kim Thompson
3/19/2017 10:00:12 am

Good morning Mar what a sweet gift. I truly value friendships that can pick up from where they have left off. It is true admiration and love towards each other. This was a sweet post and reminds me the value of friendships through the years. I know I value yours and who could not love your heart!!! A special prayer for your loving friend now dancing in the streets of heaven.
Last day of winter.. Hello Spring
Love and hugs..
Kimmie

Reply
Maria link
3/19/2017 07:25:48 pm

Thanks, dear Kimmie - I love and value your friendship as well.

Appreciate your thoughts and sending hugs to you too, mar

Reply
Vicki link
3/19/2017 10:38:57 am

Dear Mareer,
You are so amazingly caring and efficient as you remember the spcial people, friends and beloved family in your life. This is a lovely way to honor and remember them.
I'm so pleased to be your friend.
A lovely little article, and the music is so nice too. But that's another thing that makes you special. You have a song for every occasion!,
Much love and big hugs,
Vickster

Reply
Maria link
3/19/2017 07:28:39 pm


"A song for every occasion"... I daresay I do, dear Vickster.

Thanks for your nurturing remarks and kind friendship.

Love and hugs to you, mareer

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Michael link
3/19/2017 01:06:12 pm

Friends are so rare and precious. Lovely piece to celebrate the lives of your friends Mar.
We could all take a leaf from your book and spread the joy of having these special people in our lives. As even in life we are in death.
Try to leave the world a better place than we inherited.

Reply
Maria link
3/19/2017 07:30:38 pm

Dear Michael,
Well stated comment - and I thank you for your sentiments and sharing too.
Wishing you a peaceful week to come!

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Mike
3/19/2017 01:56:19 pm

Happy Birthday Karen. Hello mar. Your heart shines in this piece. You applaud Karen's friendship An you honor your family Vet, an all the care and comfort he provided your family, through your many years.

(Even the video links are large enough for these old eyes.)

Reply
Maria link
3/19/2017 07:33:28 pm

Thanks for stopping by and the kind remarks, dear Mike.

Glad you eyed the videos without difficulty. Hugs, mar

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Martie link
3/19/2017 03:40:32 pm

"True friendship multiplies the good in life and divides its evils." Gosh, and here I was thinking I am the first ever to realize this. Lol! So true!

Happy birthday, Karen! A friend of Maria is a friend of mine. I can see why the ‘see saw of sweetness’ gift is so precious to you, dear Maria.

I am so very sorry to hear that Fouad Abdel has passed away. Yes, we knew it was about to happen, but somehow we kept on hoping for a miracle. Mar, I know how close you were to this extra-ordinary vet, and how difficult it was for you to see him declining. May your beautiful memories of him sooth your pain.

Hugs,
Martie


Reply
Maria link
3/19/2017 07:42:15 pm

Dear Martie,
I know that you and Karen would be fast friends - you have many lovable qualities in common.
Thanks for your condolences about Fuoad - I have a treasure chest of memories about my friend and Veterinarian.
Wishing you a peaceful and happy week to come.
Love you lots, mar

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Ruby link
3/19/2017 06:16:34 pm

Mar, finding a true friend is so precious, and losing one in death is a moment in time that's never forgotten. Eric is one of many that I listen to and love. Take care. Spring arrives tomorrow!!!!! Yea...

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Maria link
3/19/2017 07:37:01 pm

Dear Ruby,
Thanks for your wise insights. I'm not at all surprised that you love Eric as much as I do.
Happy Spring to you too - not a moment too soon!

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paula link
3/20/2017 04:19:27 am

Precious memories once again, Maria. I can understand why you enjoy walking Memory Lane. I do too. There's so much for us to recall, so many exceptional people we've met through the years, who make an indelible mark upon our hearts. I'm sorry you lost your friend and Vet. You and your babies will miss him.
Your adorable gift from Karen is a truly perfect choice! Of course your "BESTEST" of friends would know what could make you smile!LOL! And speaking of people who know you best, how sweet of Geoff to find the perfect spot for your whirligig!
Wishing you years and years of creating more great memories! Hugs, Paula

Reply
Maria link
3/21/2017 04:52:11 pm

Thanks for your sweet comment, dear Paula. It's clear you and I share so much - including the value we place on lasting memories and love.

Hope your week is going well. Love and hugs, Maria

Reply
Sannel link
3/20/2017 08:38:01 am


Dear Maria,

Thank you for bringing me a beautiful and sweet read this morning.
To share a true friendship like you and Karen do is so very precious, and such a blessing. Wishing Karen a Happy Birthday!

I love the Labrador Retriever whirligig from Karen. It's absolutely adorable and Geoff found the perfect place for it, too. :)

I'm very sorry to hear that your vet and friend, Fouad Abdel has passed away. I know he will be greatly missed by you and your fur babies. Now he is reunited once again with his soul mate, and all the four-legged friends he met under his loving and compassionate care.

Take good care now! Wishing you a lovely day.
Sending you my love and hugs this first day of Spring,

Sannel

Reply
Maria link
3/21/2017 04:54:59 pm

Thanks for your beautiful, supportive and understanding remarks, dear Sannel. I know you appreciate what a wonderful friend Fuoad has been to my whole family.

Happy and healthy Spring to you and that adorable Freddie.
Love you,
Maria

Reply
William Holland link
3/20/2017 09:51:55 am

I'll tell you what, sweet lady, I'm getting tired of outliving all family and friends. It is so strange being the lone survivor of my circle of old friends and birth family....thankfully I have a new family and it is filled with love.

And that's what I wish for you, remaining years filled with love.

love,
bill

Reply
Maria link
3/21/2017 04:59:11 pm

And please plan to stick around for a long time to come, dear Bill.

Thanks for this beautiful wish - the same to you as well.

Love, Maria

Reply
Gail Sobotkin
3/20/2017 03:02:01 pm

Dear Maria,
I enjoyed this sweet ode to friendship and love the perfect gift Karen gave you for Christmas. Going through nursing school together surely does create a deep bond.
Hard to believe Fouad has been gone nearly a year. Yes, time does march on but I love the sweet way you ended this post with a tribute to him.
Sending Blessings, Love and Hugs,
Gail

Reply
Maria link
3/21/2017 04:48:55 pm

Always great to see you, dear Gail. I know you understand and appreciate lasting friendships made during nursing school.

Actually Fuoad died in mid-January of this year - he was very sick since late summer however.

Blessings and hugs to you too, Maria

Reply
Shauna
4/18/2017 10:23:05 am

Mar, you're the most loving, compassionate person I know. You never fail to remember a birthday or holiday. Your cards sent for no particular reason always arrive just at the right time, finding a reason and warming the heart.

I've enjoyed all your music choices here, including Kansas. :-)

Reply
Maria link
4/19/2017 07:19:14 pm

Aw thanks, dear Sha - you are easy to love!

Thanks for enjoying this music - most especially Kansas!

Love you and lots of hugs too, mar

Reply



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    marcoujor

    Something awaits us all.

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    • Kylie's Stories
    • Other books by Maria Jordan >
      • Mysterious & Miraculous Book I - News and Reviews
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