For the next two days (an on and on) we celebrate her life-Judy wants a CELEBRATION! I wrote this letter to her over two years ago- just didn't know how much time we wold have together. She looked at me like I was crazy after I read It-Because she CLEARLY had more work to do! :)
TAKE CARE!
December 13, 2014
My Dearest Judy,
I have found out more in the past year or so that people come into your life for real reasons and there's no doubt you came into my life for a reason. You wanted me to TAKE CARE.
I always take notice when a person like you comes into my life- so bright like a Meteorite. No matter how small (or sick) you get the size and brightness of your light never changes. As a matter fact, I would beg to say that most people never forget the first time they ever meet you. I actually decided to ask a few people if they remembered the first time they ever met you and of course they said "YES!"
So, back to the first time you came up to me at the MAC and introduced yourself (just like that big bright flash of light). I remember you -and you were bubbly and you were fun, and I knew immediately that we could have a great time together AND that we would have a lot in common …but we were at two completely different places in our live.... but not really. What we had no idea at that time was that both you and John had a horrible disease growing in your livers. This is what would ultimately bring us together.
When I found out you were sick I just wanted to help you, I wanted to reach out to you, but I felt a little uncomfortable because I didn't really know you. I did not want to be intrusive at such a hard time. But the couple times I saw you… once again you were full of LIGHT. You actually looked at me and said “I’m terminal” with a smile on your face. You were always making people feel more at ease.
What I know for sure about you is that you want people to “TAKE CARE”. And when you say that you don't mean it in passing. You don't mean it as an impersonal salutation. You're serious! You want Caregivers to be taken care of, you want Patients to be taken care of, you want Families to be taken care of, you want YOUR family to be taken care of (especially), AND you know how important it is to take care of yourself!
One of my favorite stories about you is when you told me one of your big regrets in life was that you weren't one of the “Super Rich”. Because you wished that you could just buy your friends anything they wanted and give out gifts to them all the time. That's what made YOU happy- giving to others! I love that about you!
When John was diagnosed, I truly did not want to let anyone else in. I kinda wanted to close all the doors and windows and hold up inside with my family and deal with everything alone… BUT!- Judy Davanzo wouldn't have that! You called, you contacted, you came over, you were going to help! You were going to TAKE CARE of us. You offered ideas you actually even offered me A gift from CaringOn. At the time I thought that was so crazy. I couldn't even imagine taking any time for myself. I thought I was fine! All I could think was "how can I help her? how can I help this amazing cause she's come up with through this unbelievable illness she perseveres!" I thought "I want to be like her! "
So I've been thinking a lot about why God brought us together… Well, I hope you got something from me —Lord!... who knows what??? but, I know what I've learned …To have more strength in hard times and Think more about others even when I'm in pain and suffering. I learned from you that no matter what, you can persevere and be freaking hilarious at the same time!!
I love that you are so smart and so convincing and so sure of yourself that if you were trying to get your point across to somebody and they were to ask you a question and your response was "because!!" -That would be acceptable for most people. You are that PERSUASIVE!...and you know there's always a way to get something done. You are relentless and righteous and I find these qualities to be AWESOME!
Judy, thank you for all of your love and all of your lessons. I haven’t known you long but thank you for letting me know you WELL. I love you and I am here for you- just ask. I will be SURE to TAKE CARE of you, your family, of my family, myself and others.
I love you FOREVER- Erica xoxo
