Monday, July 25, 2022
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I’ll never forget first meeting Birdie! We had just moved in across the street, and she and Bill had met my dad first. One day I hear happy laughter at the door, and the doorbell rings. It was Birdie and a friend inviting me to their joint birthday party at Claudette’s house. She said, “We don’t know each other, I’m Birdie! I’m your neighbor, and I’d love it if you’d come to my birthday party!” I came by myself, and enjoyed the warm hospitality of Birdie and her family on a beautiful sunny day! That was the picture of the rest of the time I would know her! Birdie, my neighbor and my friend, sharing family and friends, inviting you in to eat, talk, laugh, and listen to amazing stories of life!
As I ended up taking care of my guy’s mother, Bill and Birdie were a source of encouragement during these hard days, months, and years. As I got laid off from an engineering job, Bill and Birdie encouraged me to try a new path. I’ve spent countless hours around their table talking and laughing about adventures in engineering, life, travel, family, personalities. They are just so encouraging and fun to talk to about anything!
Most recently, Andy and I finally got engaged, and I stopped by to tell her about plans for a Vegas wedding. Birdie had just gotten diagnosed that day. We spent several hours talking about the roller coaster of life, and how it’s just not for sissies. I knew this was a transition point for both of us. We just sat and encouraged each other, and talked it through. She said she was going to come dance at my wedding in Vegas! She told me how important she felt it was to be married, that you know you have each other through ANYTHING. She cherished her marriage and all that she and Bill had worked together for and been through! In the depths of our conversation, though, she told me about how some religious people had been unkind and judgmental to her during the early part of her marriage, and that she may not be outwardly religious, but she knows God. She told me of her deep faith of trusting God after she prayed that her baby daughter would live. I cried as she told me that story! We had church that day. I knew it was an amazing moment. Birdie leaves behind an amazing family she was so proud of, and that she made everyone feel they were part of.
What has come to my heart so much since losing Birdie is from that last long talk on the couch… the story of when the religious people in the Bible were trying to trap Jesus, and asked Him what is the greatest commandment in the law. He said first Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and the second was LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. (Matt.22:34-40) Birdie lived this out, bringing food to her neighbors during hard times, being encouraging, always ready for a visit to enjoy her sunny personality, and caring for the DETAILS of peoples’ lives. Bill, let’s keep the conversations going! You’re the other half of being amazing neighbors! Birdie, my neighbor and my friend, and inspiring example of a wife, a generous soul, I already miss you, but this is not good-bye, it’s till we meet again! I know you’ll be dancing at our wedding… in my heart!
