one of the perks of owning a mom & pop restaurant is becoming more than acquainted with your customers, especially the ones who endear themselves to you by being so genuine and wonderful. one of our dearest customers - who was in for lunch or breakfast at least three times per week - passed away suddenly on tuesday, even though she had been battling cancer of the liver.
after having spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with her family and having been in for breakfast on Sunday, after the weekend she started experiencing headaches and woke up monday morning with her eye a bit droopy. her husband took her to the doctor's right away and they did a ct scan of her head, which revealed multiple tumors. in an incredibly gracious act, God took her home early tuesday morning so she did not suffer.
today was her graveside service for family and close friends and we were invited by her husband and daughter to join them for her service, which was lovely.
i remember when she was first diagnosed with liver cancer, we were all saddened by the news but she was a tough cookie and did most of the encouraging of those around her -- when asked how she was, she always responded "getting there..." the only time i saw her diminish a bit in the mood department was when she went through radiation and lost her hair; i told her in an act of solidarity, i would shave my head so we could be sisters and she forbade me because she liked my hair (silly woman!)
in our last conversation, we were just standing around talking about how difficult it is to keep up the cafe..."some times," i told her, "it gets really, really tough." she said "pen, no matter how shitty of a day i am having, even if i am alone, i know i can drive here, come inside and sit at the counter and have a cup of soup and a good conversation. i know that when i leave here, my day will be much better than it was when i first came in."
God rest her soul, she was a dear one. we will miss you, kath. you taught me about love and courage and bravery and strength beyond telling.
we will miss you.
No comments:
Post a Comment