Going Home to Montgomery

Monday morning I left for Montgomery. I was glad to be going but I hated the circumstances that it was under. Fortunately Lee opened the restaurant Monday morning so he ws able to pick up the kids and then take them to school on Tuesday. The drive wasn't too unbareable and I made it in good time. I stopped at Jana's house to see her and little man Gabe. It was really great to see her. I miss her so much. It made me realize how much by just spending time with her.

I left from there and went to the visitation for Miss Linda. It was such a hard thing to do. I waited outside of the funeral home on my parents. I just couldn't go in by myself. There were sooooo many people there who I've known for almost my entire life. It was soooooo nice to see all of them. It made me homesick for the way things were way back when. I miss my home church so badly, but deep down I know that if I went back it just wouldn't be the same, especially since Miss Linda is gone. Everytime I would go to Taylor Road she was the first person i wanted to see.

I don't know how but I made it through the visitation. I did cry and it was so very hard when talking to Mr. Ruddy and their daughter Tina. This was the hardest funeral my dad has ever done. Miss Linda was his right hand gal and like a close sister to him for 20 years. They had this connection, they got each other. It helped them be successful in what they did. When my dad started to tell Mr. Ruddy how sorry he is they hugged and they both just let lose with tears. I watched Mr. Ruddy's face and it just killed my heart. To see the saddness he feels is just heart wrenching.

When I turned to him I tried to tell him how much I loved Miss Linda. He told me that she loved me very much too and I was special to her. The tears just kept flowing. I couldn't stop them. I ended up talking about the funny things she'd say to me when we were together. It breaks my heart to see him like this. I am glad that Tina is going to stay with him for a while. I just worry for him and that he will just sort of give up. He has the same disease that Mrs. Ussery died from. I'm afraid if he lets the stress get to him then it will hurt him with the disease.

After the visitation I met up with Leigh and we had a fabulous dinner at Olive Garden. It was like old times. I miss my friends, but I am so fortunate to have my life long friends. We pick right up where we left off and if we have silence it's not akward. Jessica came and joined us after we ate. She was late because it was Blakely's 8th birthday and they had gone out to dinner. Man we had such a good time. We eventually shut down the OG. We were all so tired. I went back to Leigh's house where I spent the night. I am very thankful for her giving up a room for the night.

So Tuesday I got ready and headed to Montgomery for the funeral (Leigh lives in Wetumpka now). I stopped in Panera for a muffin. I ran into my Sr. English teacher. We spoke for a little while. I told her again how great she was and the only English teacher who actually made me understand it. She told me she remembered me saying that to her years ago. She finally retired 3 years ago after becoming head of the English department. Man, it just made me miss Montgomery a little bit more.

I went to the funeral home. so many were already there. Mom was there and I went to sit with her. I took some of her gum because Jessica said it was a good tool for not crying. She proved to be right. Michael Jones lead all of us in song singing Miss Linda's favorite hymns. It was so moving. Partly because Michael was singing and partly because I just knew that Miss Linda was in heaven with Jesus.

Dad was the one who did the service. He said it was the hardest thing he's ever done. I could tell. It was easy for him in one way because he had so many wonderful things to say about her. The other good part was she ws such a funny lady and he was able to mix humor into it. There were a few times that Dad got choked up. His mouth did this lip thing he does. It broke my heart. He was right, she was like a sister to him and like an aunt to me. I knew her longer than anyone else in my life with the exception of my parents/grandparents. I saw her every week and spent so much time in her office. I loved getting to church early on Wednesday nights and sitting in her office. I'd do that on Sundays too. She was great.

After the funeral we went back to the church where some ladies had prepared lunch. I had the great opportunity to sit down with Scott Lee, our former minister of music, from way back when. Come to find out he is a real estate broker with a Coldwell Banker office that has offices from Mobile (where he is) to Panama City. We knew some of the same brokers. It actually ended up being a great business contact. I have been doing so many amazing real estate things and told him about some and it is such a great thing. He asked me to call him and wants me to get together with him. I emailed him and he wants to come do Destin and have me go over things w/ him and his wife. Show him what it can do to help is agents and help him personally invest. i take that as a great compliment. That my ideas that I spit out in 2 mins are good enough and innovative enough for someone to want to drive to me.

I have been doing some different real estate things lately. I am currently still doing the title business but also assisting 4 agents. I am a little over extended and am having a hard time catching up with sleep. I worked until 8:30 last night and after we had dinner tonight I worked until just a few minutes ago. I want to pass out. I think I will now.

I am glad to have seen a lot of friends in Montgomery but I am still very sad at the passing of Miss Linda. She was an amazing person who had such a major impact on so many people.