Looking back on the last decade

This morning in church our pastor spoke of the past decade and it got me to thinking.... In the last 10 years I've seen many things. I've lost both parents to death. THEY are with Jesus now. I miss them but am glad they are at peace and have no more pain! The last few years of their lives were a struggle for them so I can only be happy for them. During the holidays (especially Thanksgiving and Christmas) I miss them most. Daddy died just before Thanksgiving 2 years ago so that is still a hard time for me. Thankfully, I have Larry who helped me through the loss of my parents and also stood beside me as I lost my two best girlfriends; one to death and another by choice. Lisa also went to be with the Lord two years ago. Her death was even harder on me than Daddy's as she & I were only 1 year apart in age. She was the love of my brother Pete's life and a ray of sunshine to all of us. She was the instrument God used to bring me back to walking with Him. My other 'friend' Deedee proved not to be a friend after 20 some years. She & I were on shaky ground for a long time but I continued to try to be her friend and get past her lying and dishonesty (while trying to witness to her but ALWAYS being rebuffed.) I stayed in her life because of her daughter Jacque (now 12) for several years. The cigarettes, alcohol and general life style she continues to choose became too much for me. I realized I was not making a difference in either of their lives and chose to end the relationship that began so many years ago. I had grown and she had not. It is hard to realize that some people, no matter how much you love them are poison to you. So, in the last decade I've lost 4 people who were a great big part of my life for 20 years and more. Sad... In the last decade I've also gained someone who is My Best Friend. My Larry came into my life in Aug. 2003 when I moved back to Spokane from Clarkston and took a job at the hotel where he worked. I became a part of the family and now have 3 adult (step) daughters, 6 grandchildren ranging in age from almost 18 to almost 2! I also have 2 brothers-in-law and 4 sisters-in-law and a MOM. This man has stood beside me during my 'decade of loss.' But it has also been a decade of gain. I have gained a Best Friend who loves me and supports me, someone who shares my love of wandering. Together we have moved 8 times in the last 6 years! Only one of those moves was within the same state and that was when we lived in Arizona and moved from a one bedroom apartment into a brand new 3+ bedroom/2 bathroom house in a new housing project. I have also gained the possession of a black cat we named Spirit. He came to live with us in mid-October 2004. We have determined he was born around the first of August so... Spirit and I share a birthday, a home, a bed and ALWAYS my oranges. During this decade I have made some good new friends and met many people. I've worked in several hotels and worked again at Mold In Graphic Systems in Clarkdale, AZ. While at those jobs, I met several people who became friends and some of those have remained Very Good Friends. AND one bonus daughter that Larry and I both love as our own. While my mom and then my dad were in the assisted living home in Lewiston (prior to going to the nursing home) I met and became very good friends with one of the ladies who worked there. We remain friends today. I always look forward to her visits to Spokane and hopefully, I'll get to see her when I visit Lewiston in the future. So now, 2009 is nearly at an end and I look forward with eager anticipation to what God has in store for me in the next decade. And that's it for now. Until next time and more of Jacki's Ramblings. =)