In Loving Memory of Doris

Something happened today that I just have to share.

 

Prelude to my story: In 1985, I met a woman named Doris through a neighbor of mine. Doris was very down to earth and soft-spoken and she sold Mary Kay. The 3 of us became friendly and got together at each other's houses for coffee and I started using Mary Kay lipstick and foundation and Doris became "MY" Mary Kay lady.

In 1986, Doris had a little girl and named her Melanie - I always loved that name. When my son was in grade school, he played soccer or baseball with one of Doris' older sons. Through the years, we kept in touch and I would stop by her house to pick up my Mary Kay and we would chat or have coffee. The last time I saw Doris, I remember her youngest son playing in the family room while we visited. He was about 5 or 6 at that time.

 

I lost touch with Doris because I moved out of the area but about 3 years ago, a mutual friend told me that she had passed away from a brain tumor. Her youngest son was only 18 at the time.

Here is my story: This morning I was at the YMCA working out in the gym. I was ready to leave when a young man working in the gym came over to talk to my friend and I. I know most of the staff as I have worked there for 7 years but I did not recognize him. I don't know what prompted our conversation but he was saying that he was 21 and soon pushing 30. We laughed and told him that he had plenty of time and that we would be more than happy to be pushing 30, 40, even 50!!!!!

He made a comment and used his full name. I stopped him in mid-sentence and with tears in my eyes, asked him if he was the son of Doris. Of course, he said, "Yes." I then proceeded to tell him how I knew his mother. I told him that I remembered him playing when he was 6 years old while his mom and I drank coffee. I asked him how Melanie and his brothers were doing.

 

I expressed my sympathy to him on the loss of his mother and he told me that he was recently in a car accident, went into a coma, had his head cut open and is lucky to be alive.

It was such an emotional morning for me, meeting Doris' son after 15 years. From my short conversation with him, I could tell that he is a fine young man, very smart and sensitive and way too young to have lost his mother but I'm sure Doris was up above smiling and is most definitely watching over her precious children.