Wednesday, November 3, 2010

Remembering


A little while ago I asked for people to pray for a coworker of mine.  Her name was Raechel and late last week she passed away.  She came in to work on her classroom in August and I was away on vacation so I hadn't seen her since school let out last June.   When the teachers left at the end of June no one expected anything like this would happen. 

Her sudden illness and ultimate death has really shaken people up.  I, myself have had many moments of sadness and unease, and sleepless nights not being able to stop thinking about her and how lucky I was that my cancer was caught very early.  She was not that much older than me and she had three sons and a devoted husband.  And she was a character.  I say that not to poke fun, but we all have our foibles and idiosyncracies and some of hers were unforgetable. 

She was beautiful and dressed to the nines.  In fact, she was one of those people who you'd swear never wore the same thing twice.  And she flaunted it - that was her..... telling people that the pearls she was wearing were worth $10,000 or flashing a wrist full of jingling gold bracelets.  We had become accustomed to that - that was Raechel. 

She would come into the office and would have to practically press her nose against the sign-in sheet because she refused to wear her glasses anywhere except in her classroom.  That was Raechel.

She drove the best cars, had the best home, and she let you know it.  That too was Raechel.

But.............she was a wonderful teacher and a very thoughtful person. 

When we first met I found out that she was an artist when I questioned her about how she spelled her name as my daughter is also a Rachel but spelled differently.  She told me that she stuck the extra e in so that she could sign her name Rae.  I never saw anything that she had painted, but I don't doubt that she was talented. 

She always brought us, the office staff, a special little gift for Christmas and at the end of the school year.  Over the last couple of years the Christmas gift was a beautiful box of scented soap (did I mention that she left a trail of fragrance wherever she went?), and although I haven't used the soap because of my fragrance sensitivity, I have saved these boxes...............


and I'll always have them to remember a very special person.  Rest in peace Raechel.

12 comments:

  1. How sad. I am so sorry to learn of your co-worker's passing, Lorraine. May your wonderful memories of Raechel sustain you in the days ahead.

    ReplyDelete
  2. So very sorry, Lorraine! Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am so sorry to hear this Lorraine! She sounds like she WAS quite the character! Its wonderful when the little things people do make you feel their warmth and you appreciate them for that! This is a very nice post for you to make on the day of her funeral.

    Our co-workers are the people we spend alot of our time with when not with our familes so they become our second family. Its hard to loose one. Thanks for telling us her story.....and I am sorry for your loss!

    Beautiful flowers, beautiful boxes!

    Big Hugs!

    ReplyDelete
  4. How very sad. As you said, rest in peace, Raechel. Your post and pictures are a lovely tribute.

    Thanks so much for visiting my blog. I love your card making style and am enjoying looking around. :-)

    ReplyDelete
  5. My only friend left a message for me to call her. She was a Stamping Up demonstrator and I loved her. When I called I got no answer.

    Found out about four hours later that she had taken ill, gone to the hospital, and was dead.

    I kept her message on my phone for a year and listened to it SO often. Then Joe accidentally erased it and I felt as if I'd lost her all over again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. This is so sad Lorraine.. It sounds like she lived life to the fullest in so many ways.. I hope those memories of her will give you comfort.. Huge hugs.

    ReplyDelete
  7. I'm so sorry about your friend and co-worker - she sounds like a wonderful and vibrant lady! My best friend, Nancy, is exactly as you described Raechel - flamboyant, vibrant, very wealthy and flaunts it, but she is the kindest most generous lady! Again, I'm so sorry!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Lorraine, so sorry to hear of your friend's passing. I, too, lost a friend named Rachel - to cancer in September... she was diagnosed in August and went so fast... She was a friend of more than 45 years and I miss her terribly.

    May memories and time give your comfort and peace.

    Hugs,
    Linda aka zgirlsgranny

    ReplyDelete
  9. I am so sorry for your loss of your dear Friend, Lorraine! May the memories you cherish of her keep her alive in your heart always!
    My prayers are with you during this diffficult time.
    Hugs & Prayers,
    Sue (irishgreensue)

    ReplyDelete
  10. I am so sorry to hear of you co-worker passing. Her memory will live on forever in your heart

    ReplyDelete
  11. Lorraine, I'm so sorry to hear about your wonderful friend. She sounds like she was such a caring person. she will be greatly missed I'm sure. I pray that you will remember the special moments and times you had with her. She sounds like she was one in a million. Hugs and prayers coming your way.
    Sue

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Lorraine. So sorry for the loss of your dear friend and co-worker. She sounds like someone who lived life to the fullest and enjoyed each and every moment. How touching your story was. I am sure you will think of her often and eventually smile as you realize she is still and always will be in your heart. Take care and hugs, Celisa

    ReplyDelete

It's always so nice to hear from visitors. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment.