Loss of a Friend

Seems over the holiday weekend,
I lost one of my oldest friends.
And I sit here - simply empty.

Kathy was a close friend I made after I got out of college.
Her mother sponsored the Bible Study I led for young adults.
Kathy hung out with the group I ran around with.
No, there were no pairings in the group, just 30 some odd friends.

In fact Kathy was to introduce me to Diedre.
Her best friend from grade school.

Kathy, went on to marry the little brother of one of my friends.
And though our lives took separate tracks,
We still stayed in touch.
Whether by letter, FaceBook messaging, eMails or phone.

Kathy had the most ready smile of anyone I have ever met.
And, yeah, it was a genuine smile!
She was more than willing to go the extra distance for a friend,
Or relative.
A truly generous and real person!

I am on the one hand sorrowful at her exiting to be heaven-bound.
And at the loss of physical presence of someone close to me.
Besides she was two years younger than me,
And younger people should not be dying early!
Right?

All I can think to say, "Say howdy to my right leg! And no tickling!"
Yeah, I am not normal.
And I do not seem to handle the dearth of friends well!