Farewell, my dearest friend

Yesterday my best friend in the whole world went to live with her Heavenly Father and I am so sad.  I should be happy that she is out of pain and doesn't have to face anymore challenges in this hard life but all I can think about is me, her husband and her four daughters and how much we are all going to miss her.  Memories of all the great times we shared for the past 20 years keep running through my head.  So many holidays spent together.  Game nights where Pat and Scott beat us every time except once.  Gabbing through a robbery at Marie Calendars' and not even knowing it happened.  Trips to Utah where we talked the whole 10 hours, each way.  Me being more excited than she was when her oldest daughter, Nikki, made BYU cheerleader.  Helping Calee throw a surprise anniversary party for her parents.  So many hours gabbing on the phone or at pie places or restaurants.  Our favorite thing to do was talk.  My boys being the only boys at her girls' birthday parties and her girls being the only girls at my boys' birthday parties.  Her girls being my boys' favorite girls in the whole world.  Mine too.  Doing church musicals together, many years of Children's Chorus together, even the Miss Rancho Bernardo Pageant.  Lots of church callings together.  Baptisms, weddings, divorces, grandchildren.  We have shared our whole lives for the past 20 years and been like one big family.  She has told me just about everything that's ever happened to her in her life and shared every emotion possible with me.  I can't help but wish she could tell me all about where she is now and what she's doing now.  Is she with my dad?  I hope so.  They really liked each other.  She told me she was scared but that she would check everything out so she could show me around and take care of me when I get there.  I'm so thankful that I know I will see her again and boy, when I do, that is going to be one heck of a gabfest. I love you Rita McBride Schroeder. I put this entry in your favorite color:)

Oh. My. Gosh.

This interesting character is my very hot teenage quarterback son dressing up for "Nerd" day at school today.  Wow.