Greetings Loyal Airmen.  We write tonight's entry with a heart filled with both sadness and happiness.  We've a story to share we think is beautiful.  It is the story of two women and their friendship.  Mona K was a fun loving woman all her life.  She was one of those people who live loud. Always boisterous, enjoying life to the max in all she did, from being a loving wife to a loving mother to her only son, Dick.  After her husband died, Mona lived alone in their big house until a year and a half ago it just became too much for her.  She was having health issues and in the end she realized it was time to find a better environment and so she became a resident of the Wentworth Home and it was there that she met my Mom, Gaby.   Only in their early 80s, Mona and Gaby were the youngest of the thirty five residents and they hit it off instantly.  Gaby had never met anyone so full of life, so energetic, wild and mischievous.  Mona still drove and so together, the two of them began to go off on all kinds of day trips.  Together they became a storm of playfulness that had the residence and staff all laughing and in cheer.  They were soon labeled the Themla & Louise of the Wentworth Home.

                 
                                Mona in the blue at left front row, Gaby in the red in back.

It was such a great friendship that so enriched both their lives.  Then two weeks ago Mona's health began to fail and she was taken to the hospital.  It was serious and the doctors advised chemo-therapy, but Mona wanted no part of it.  At best it would only prolong her life a few months and most likely they would be painful months.  So she opted to forgo the chemo and face her end with as much courage and dignity as she could muster.  All of the folks in the Home were saddened, but none more so than Gaby.  Last week Mona was taken to a wonderful hospice home to be cared for until she passed.  Gaby visited her day and night, along with Dick and his wife. When Gaby arrived there this morning, the nurses told her Mona was having a difficult time of it and couldn't relax.  Her breathing was labored and she was struggling.  Gaby went to her, sat on her bed and cradled her dear friend her arms.  She bent down and whispered that she was there and that it was time for Mona to let go. To simply let go.  And so for the next hour, Gaby sat there, tenderly holding her best friend telling her it was okay to let go.  Mona calmed down and gently went to sleep…that perfect, peaceful, eternal sleep.  From her friend's loving embrace to that of her Creator.

Later in the afternoon, Mom called to tell us the news and of Mona's last hours.  I have never been so proud of my mother.  She needs her rest now.  I'll be calling her tomorrow to make sure she's alright.  We'll all be going to Mona's funeral mass when it is scheduled.  Oh, we'll cry, we all loved that wild woman.  But we will also laugh a lot and celebrate her life.  She made the world a better place for her being in it.  You can't ever ask for any more than that.

Have a great week, Ron.  Over & Out.