D = Daisies

Today, and as I write this, I think of my friend Judy Melms.  Her funeral is today.  I hope there are daisies there.  When I think of daisies, I think of her riding her horse in fields of daisies, the sun on her face and the breeze in her hair.  I think of her free from pain and free from the body that wouldn't allow her to ride, to bake cookies, or to do her random little projects that only Judy would attempt to do.

I'll miss my friend, her laugh, and her warm smile.  But, the one thing I am going to take from Judy's life, her friendship is how she lived it.

Judy worked in Jacob's school as an Instructional Assistant.  I will always remember Judy's heart for kids.  She always had a soft spot for the underprivileged.  I'm not sure how I'm going to accomplish this yet but, I know my goal is to make life easier for at least one child and I know Judy will help guide me. 

I had planned when starting this writing challenge to use only my own original writings, only borrowing someone else's words for ideas but, I hadn't planned on losing a friend.  When I sat to write this, the first thing to my mind was, Judy and this:

I'd Pick More Daisies
by Nadine Stair

If I had to live my life over again, I'd dare to make more mistakes next time.  I'd relax. I would limber up.  I would be sillier than I have been this trip.  I would take fewer things seriously.  I would take more chances. I would take more trips. I would climb more mountains, swim more rivers.  I would eat more ice cream and less beans. I would perhaps have more actual troubles, but I'd have fewer imaginary ones.

You see, I'm one of those people who live seriously and sanely, hour after hour, day after day.  Oh, I've had my moments. And if I had it to do over again, I'd have more of them.  In fact, I'd try to have nothing else, just moments, one after another, instead of living so many years ahead of each day.  I've been one of those persons who never goes anywhere without a thermometer, a hot water bottle, a raincoat and a parachute.

If I had it to do again, I would travel lighter than I have. If I had my life to live over, I would start barefoot earlier in the spring and stay that way later in the fall.  I would go to more dances.  I would ride more merry-go-rounds.  I would pick more daisies.

Rest in Peace, my friend.  Know you are loved.  Know you are missed.  But most of all, know I'm picking all the daisies I can before I see you again!