RIP Jeannie

Death always seems to come in waves of threes.  So this week I have a second already.
My old neighbor died today.  She had been ill for a long time.  Tired.  She, too, had lived an extraordinary life.  She might have disagreed with that.  She did what she had to do to survive and raise her children.  She had seven.  One predeceased her years ago and that was a great heartache for her.  I can't remember now how many grandchildren she had, but boy did she love them.
She had stories of love, laughter, children, jobs and alcoholic life.
The best piece of advice she ever gave me was if I ever felt comfortable with a man to run as fast as I could.  She told me the relationships that were hard and uncomfortable were more likely going to be healthy.  We were kindred spirits Jeannie and I. 
I mowed for her for many years.  Her kids didn't want to do it.  And yet at least one of them would tell me I was doing the gravy job.  Maybe so.  But I was there doing it all the time.  And that left her kids to do that "man" work.  When I moved to town Dave took over.  Until he needed me to fill in.  Funny how that worked.  And then once Dave was gone...Jeannie's kids had to mow again.  Maybe there was a grandchild by then willing to do it.  Anyway we had great conversations when I was done and her "field" looked better. 
RIP Jeannie.  I will never forget all the stories or the great advice.  I know wherever you are you are kicking ass and laughing, always a true word coming from your mouth.  Light and love lady.