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CLICK ON THE FROGGY. (Go ahead! Do it!)
Genre: Memoir
Word Count: 100
I wrote the following story in my husband’s voice. Ray’s his best friend from junior high into the present.
LOVE IS ALWAYS ON TIME
There’s an old saying. “Time flies when you’re having fun.”
A year ago, I set my best friend Ray up with my girlfriend’s sister Vicky on a blind date.
A month ago Ray and Vicky tied the knot while I was at sea, care of the US Navy. While the war in Vietnam raged my flat-footed 4-F friend and his bride welcomed Peggy Sue.
Last week cancer claimed Vicky. At her sendoff, half the church teemed with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
The truth is time speeds by with the velocity of a twin-engine jet whether fun’s involved or not.
Vicky lost her battle with cancer June 26, 2019.
Sounds like she left quite a wake behind her when she took off
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She did, Neil. She was a loving lady and a good friend. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A life in 100 words, told with delicacy and affection.
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Dear CE,
Vicky was a simple woman with a huge heart. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sounds like a life lived. We can’t ask for much more, death claims us all. I hope you’re doing ok, Rochelle…
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Dear Tanille,
Vicky was the epitome of a simple life well lived. Thank you for your kind words. July has been a tough month as three of my friends have lost their battles with cancer. 😦
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ouch. So much in one month. Look after yourself.
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I loved this story, Rochelle. Thanks for the photos to bring it even more to life. What a lovely family she left behind. She did well. Condolences on the loss of your friends. ❤ — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Vicky did, indeed, leave a stellar legacy. I’ve never known a couple more devoted to each other either. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sorry to hear about this. It looks like a good life. Sadly, we’re at the age where there are more funerals than weddings.
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Dear Josh,
Too true. Too many funerals at this stage of life. How many times do we say, “we need to get together soon” and that time ends up being the final farewell? She did live a good life. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Gosh, what a poignant story! Beautifully done, Rochelle.
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Thank you for such a wonderful comment, Susan.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice story well told in few words. Time does fly by…. I’m sorry for your loss.
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Dear Trent,
The older we get the faster time seems to zip by. Thank you re my story and for your condolences.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lifetime of memories that began with a blind date. A lovely story even though it ended with sadness.
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Dear Colline,
If ever two people fell in love at first sight and stayed in love, Ray and Vicky were the perfect role models. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
This was beautifully done, my friend. A sweet tribute to both Vicky and your husband for using his voice.
Again, I am so sorry for your loss. Cancer is a wicked demon that has claimed way too many – in my circle, too.
Shalom and lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
Cancer is a wicked demon. 😦 Thank you for your kind words, my friend.
Shalom and lotsa hugs,
Rochelle
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That it is and it is way too prevalent…
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Memories to treasure, and death always, always comes too soon. What a privilege to have helped this couple find each other, and to maintain the friendship over so many years.
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Dear Linda,
At her funeral, when her grandchildren filed in with their children, my husband whispered, “Am I responsible for that?” Thank you for a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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This is a poignant and moving story. Thanks for the share. It brought tears to my eyes.
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Dear Skye,
Thank you for such a lovely comment/compliment
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The pictures add so much to the story.
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Thank you, Reena.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Is Shalom a greeting or a signing off term like Regards or Cheers? I see this on your posts and thought I might as well ask.
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Shalom is the Hebrew word for peace and is used as a greeting. Hello, goodbye while wishing the recipient peace. Glad you asked, Reena. 😀 Shalom.
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Shalom, Rochelle!
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Thank you M’luv for this beautiful, not fiction, story. I tear up reading it. So many memories over the last 55 or so years with this loving couple. You did good.
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Dear Jan,
I’m glad my usurping of your voice rang true. You done good when you introduced Ray and Vicky. ❤ Thank you, m'luv
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This is a lovely, moving, and impressively compact dedication and a reminder to cherish the time we have. Cancer beats all other horror stories I’ve seen, heard, read, and written. I’m sorry for your loss and for her family.
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Dear Nobbin,
I’ve lost three friends this past month to the C-Beast. 😦 Thank you for your lovely and affirming comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I can’t very well “like” that comment. God! I am so sorry. I watched it slowly drain the life from my father while it was literally eating him alive. I’ve never been the same. I can’t imagine three in one month.
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A very moving and life affirming story Rochelle. Such love and kindness makes loss bearable I am sure. Thank you for sharing it with us.
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Dear Francine,
Vicky lived a simple life and wanted nothing more than to love her friends and family. Thank you for such a sweet comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My sympathies to you and everyone who knew her. 😥
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Thank you, Jo.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A fine tribute Rochelle. Memories should be treasured for time never stops
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Dear Mike,
I agree with you. Memories should be treasured. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful and moving… I wish I could come up with something more poignant to say through all these tears!
-Rachel 🙂
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Dear Rachel,
Your tears are a high compliment. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Sorry to here of your loss Rochelle. It sounds like she led a full and fulfilled life to be celebrated.
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Thank you for your kind words, Iain.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Beautiful and touching story, Rochelle. Am sorry for you loss. It sounds like your friend, Vicky had a full and wonderful life.
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Sorry, Rochelle. I meant to say “tribute” instead of story.
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Dear Adele,
Thank you for your sweet and kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My heart felt condolences on the loss of your friend. I hope when I go I am written about as lovingly.
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Dear Dawn,
I know what you mean. Vicky’s was a life well lived. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I’m so sorry for your loss. You paid your friend a lovely tribute.
Shalom
Maria
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Thank you for your kind words, Maria.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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So sorry for your loss, Rochelle. It’ obvious that Vicky lived a blessed and fulfilled life.
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Dear Deborah,
Vicky wasn’t a complicated person. What you saw was what you got, a giving woman full of love. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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(Hugs!) So very sorry you lost your dear friend. What a beautiful tribute you’ve written to her, too. May she live on in beloved memory… ours now included. ❤ ~Shalom, Bear
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Thank you for the sweet words and hugs, Bear.
Shalom, my friend,
Rochelle
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Yes it does, Rochelle. Your story and the photos bring a lot of feelings. Vicky will be missed by many.
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Dear Lisa,
She will indeed be missed. Thank you for your affirming words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
You are very welcome.
Shalom,
Lisa
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Beautiful piece Rochelle, poignant and classy.
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Thank you so much, Shrawley.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Fifty years seems like one, doesn’t it? I like the way you cut up time into manageable, comprehensible bits to speak your incomprehensible truth. Im sure Vicky valued your friendship as much as you did hers. Peace.
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Dear Andrea,
Fifty years in the blink of an eye. Thank you for your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so sorry for your loss Rochelle. She sounds a wonderful lady and has left behind quite a legacy.
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Thank you, Di. she was a wonderful lady, cherished by family and friends.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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She seems to have been a remarkable woman, Rochelle. Condolences on your loss, but as you have commented previously, she lived a full life, and not many of us can make that claim with confidence!
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Dear Anurag,
Vicky’s needs and wants were simple, the love of her husband and family. She gave and received with relish. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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what a wonderful tribute to a great friend. thanks for sharing her story.
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Many thanks, Plaridel.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a touching and beautiful tribute to your friend, Rochelle. Time is, indeed, hurtling by. Well done.
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Thank you for your affirming comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A poignant story made all the more so by the accompanying pictures.
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Many thanks, Keith. ❤
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A very touching piece. It sounds like she left a lot of love behind.
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Dear Ali,
Vicky did leave quite a legacy. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m so sorry for you and your husband’s loss. You painted a beautiful picture of Vicky’s life well-lived. A wonderful tribute to her and your friendship. Thank you for sharing that and the photos of her lovely family. Peace to you and your husband, Rochelle.
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Dear Brenda,
This loss was hard on my husband. We were able to have a few last moments with her that we will cherish. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Family is more than those we are born with. Family is also those we share our lives with and they with us. They are gifts from God to make two families as one and all of our lives richer.
Blessings to you, Phyllis
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Dear Phyllis,
Thank you for your beautiful comments. They mean a lot.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You seem like someone who is a good friend. I’m sure you are greatly valued.
Blessings.
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You’ve written a lovely tribute for your friend. Shalom.
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Dear Penny,
Thank you for reading and leaving such a lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What a lovely way to cherish and remember your friend! I love the analogy to flying through life … and how we are all passengers – for a time – on our little twin (or single) engines …
I’m sorry for your loss, my friend.
Left mine with the frogy. Copied here:
https://naamayehuda.com/2019/08/01/in-a-moment-2/
Hugs
Na’ama
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Na/ama Y’karah,
Your comment both warms and comforts. Todah rabbah, harbe m’ohd.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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🙂 B’simcha! 🙂
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Your stories are always full of history. This one is so close to the heart. Thanks for sharing the story of your friends. You said so much with so few words. Thanks again. Lish
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Dear Lish,
Comments like yours mean so much. Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story!
Shalom,
Ronda
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Thank you, Ronda.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Time certainly passes irrespective of events in our lives. A happy mind feels time has flown by. A sad mind feels time is not passing at all. A nice story you told from real life. Enjoyed reading it.
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Thank you, Abhijit.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful tribute to her life well lived. I hope you’re doing ok.
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Dear Kelley,
I am doing well. Thank you for asking and for your comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely tribute to a friend. So many of us can relate to the story, but perhaps not tell it as well. I think you represented all the people who will miss her and others like her.
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Dear Karen,
Thank you for such a wonderful comment/compliment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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The problem has been fixed, Tessa. You may link now. I apologize for the glitch.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thanks!
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A very beautiful tribute told very poignantly & with great sensitivity. Gorgeous write Rochelle.
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Thank you so much, Lisa.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle: I keep posting a comment for Susan’s Eames story and I keep erasing it – CREEPY –( for Susan Eames story she wrote) I sure hope this is a dream! Nicely written! – I don’t want to enter a master password (which it keeps asking me for). HELP ME ROCHELLE . . . . YOU’RE MY ONLY HOPE!
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I’m sorry to let you down, Nan.
Hugs,
Rochelle
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Oh how lovely and how sad. She sounds remarkable and will be missed
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Dear Laurie,
She was a loving lady with simple desires. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A poignant true story told with such sensitivity. The last line is particularly insightful and bittersweet. I’m sorry for your loss, Rochelle.
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Dear Mags,
Thank you for your affirming comment. It flies by in a heartbeat, doesn’t it?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
It’s always a pleasure to read your writing.
Shalom,
Mags
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Wild wind outside. Rain, storm, hail. Not going anywhere (to answer your question).
You are loved.
More than you know by more than you know.
And that’s the best anyone can ever do.
Be at peace.
Ciao Bella, D.
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Dear Doug,
Stay warm and dry. Hot and humid in North Carolina where I’m spending a wonderful time with my brother and sister-in-love. (and the Ocean 😉 ) Your words and presence are a comfort.
Hugs to herself and yourself.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Nice remembrance, Rochelle.
I totally missed this prompt. I’ve another one I’ll send to you. I’ll have to check out the stories. Some time ago, I missed writing a story for the ‘Box Office’ prompt. I have now written one now, I think you just might like it.
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Dear Ted,
Whatever am I going to do with you. Next time I’ll remember to tag you on Facebook. Feel free to share your Box Office story. 😉 Thanks Ted. You’re always an encouragement with your support.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
I am sorry for your loss. I enjoyed the entire narrative especially the last lines.
Thank you for the prompt, inspiring as always.
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