Goodbye my Dear Friend

Goodbye my dear friend Shirley who passed away on Feburary 2, 2010.  She had been diagnosed with Cervical Cancer two years ago.  Despite chemo and radiation treatments the tumors did not disappear and grew back each time.  I will miss her so much.  For the past 26 years of our friendship I  thank Shirley for all the wonderful things I have experienced and learned from her.  She made me look outside the box and experience things that I would not do on my own.  She was a super shopper.  She knew where the best stores were and dragged me in there when I know I couldn't afford even a pair of socks in there.  Why on earth do I really need a Coach purse I say?  Because it's  a "Coach" she would say.   I have one now.  We went to the city every six weeks for years to have our hair cut by a very good hair stylist and it cost us the earth but we complimented each other all day on how good we looked.  For ten + years Shirley and I joined the Mann sisters on an annual trek to Buffalo to shop, laugh, eat and come home absolutely exhaused.  We had great times.  Shirley and her husband George were the ultimate hosts.  They always had a house full of people with Shirley organising the party and George cooking.    We sat around the table for hours laughing and enjoying each others company.    I often referred to those times as the George and Shirley hour as George would tell one tale and another about what Shirley did or did not do.  He made it sound so funny in a very loving way.  We would be laughing so hard we had tears in our eyes.  Shirley would be laughing so hard her self.   Shirley and I had a subscription to the theatre for the last 5 years.  We enjoyed going to the city, having lunch, shopping of course and seeing a play.   I will miss all those things but I will miss her warmth, her belief that all is well, her laughter and joy of life and family and of course her friends.   Rest in Peace Shirley.   Shirley Leska Naray June 24, 1953 - February 2, 2010.    Love Valerie