In early summer 1987, I was not having a good time in a number of things, which aren't relevant to this.  In mid July, almost to the day today, I ran into a group of guys around my age, and they pretty much adapted me.  And soon thereafter, one of them became my best friend, Duff. 

For the month of August, I don't think he and I spent more than two days apart.  We hang out and sleep over at his house, or do the same at mine.  Both of our family go to know us.  

And every Sunday night, his whole family gathered at his grandparents house.  His family, an aunt and uncle and their spouses and wives would be there too.  His grandmother, Sis, and HER mother, who was still alive and kicking, would cook all of us a big meal and afterwards we'd play some kinda of card game.  

Throughout the years, I was best man in Duff's first wedding.  Soon afterwards, the bride's parents, Sis and I moved the bride to Louisiana where Duff was stationed in the Army.  At Duff's second wedding receptions, Sis and I hung out together chatting, mainly cause I didn't know anyone else at the reception.  Also over the span of roughly 25 years, he and I watched the Super Bowl's together, several of the more recent ones Sis and her husband were there watching with us. 

I just heard from mom tonight that Sis died yesterday.  She was 90.  She had suffered from Parkinsons' for several years and was in a home.  She and her husband were married 72 years.  And she was a helluva woman.

The funeral is Tuesday, in the afternoon.  In honor of all she did for me over the years, I have to go.  I'll just leave work early.   She was such a great woman.

POLT