Dear Beverly

-->

Just stopped by to say hello.

             Mi Amor.  You remembered me.

Always.

Rockin’ good news.  Cubs rallied for two in the bottom of the ninth against the Cards and won it in the 11^th.   A few hours later your boy Matt Kemp hit a two-out, two-strike single in the 10^th at Cincinnati to beat the Reds.   All good … two back in the Wild Card.

           Yippee!

On Dec. 8, 2009, after taking Fran to the doctor (it was a very “bad news day”) you wrote me this:

“Besides my mom, you are mi rock, mi amor, you have never said a mean thing to me, nor did a mean thing to me, all you have ever done is love me and help and I simply adore you for that and everything you have ever done for me.”

I re-read it (along with the connecting emails that followed over the next few days) again this morning.   I recalled “never said a mean thing to me” and “nor did a mean thing to me” … I found that phrasing odd then and, now, in light of things that have happened, even more so.   “Mean” has stuck in my mind.

You were blessed with the most beautiful smile in the world.  There was a loving way about you; a kindness; a gentle nature.  Who could ever be “mean” to you?   How odd a way to express yourself. 

Meanness is something I’ll have to get my head around.   It’s not in me, so it is difficult to understand.   Should have pursued that … talked more about it.   There is more in that sentence than meets the eye.   Damn it.  

Should have been on the phone during this period … by the 16^th Fran was gone and your safe haven from the storm went with her.   Did you sense the storm coming?

Got a tune for you today ... enjoy.

http://youtu.be/xEkIou3WFnM

-->

When you're down and troubled and you need a helping hand
and nothing, whoa, nothing is going right.
Close your eyes and think of me and soon I will be there to brighten up even your darkest nights.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend.

If the sky above you should turn dark and full of clouds
and that old north wind should begin to blow,
keep your head together and call my name out loud.
Soon I will be knocking upon your door.
You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call and I'll be there.

Hey, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend? People can be so cold.
They'll hurt you and desert you. Well, they'll take your soul if you let them,
oh yeah, but don't you let them.

You just call out my name, and you know where ever I am
I'll come running to see you again.
Winter, spring, summer, or fall, all you have to do is call, Lord, I'll be there, yeah, yeah,
you've got a friend. You've got a friend.
Ain't it good to know you've got a friend. Ain't it good to know you've got a friend.
Oh, yeah, yeah, you've got a friend.