I was not going to travel to San Juan, so on Wednesday I went to work and so the day passed... But I was feeling bad about not seeing Betsy. I mean, I know that the long travel makes me almost catatonic when I arrive home... but this would be my last chance to see her. Since I was hesitant, I asked Alex to go send a floral arrangement for her... He made the arrangements during the day. Thank you, Alex! :)

During the afternoon, there was the bad news that one of the supervisor's mother died, and they were preparing the buses to take the people to the funeral and to the cementery. It made me think, hey, all these people are going to see the co-worker's mom... And I am not going to see my friend? I got home and got a call from Alex saying he took care of everything. Then he described the floral thinguie and I couldn't help but burst in tears. He got exactly what I had in mind but didn't mention to him... When I hanged up I guess I had my mind made up... Guess that was the boost I needed to go say my farewells to my dear friend...

I was lucky. I didn't want to go alone, and I asked Joe to go with me. He didn't even thought about it, saying yes right away. So, in the morning, instead of driving to work I drove to Carolina to go pick up Joe. He was still sleeping but got ready in a flash and off we went to find the place... I was told my friend was in one place and turned out she was in another... We almost got lost, sort of... I had no idea where we were all the time, I had too many thoughts crowded in my mind. I was just thinking that I would not make it in time, that I would not see her, and that thought was drilling into my mind... We finally made it. I rushed up the stairs and rushed to the funeral chapel. I hear someone say my name but it was so far that I ignored the voice. I even forgot about Joe following me. I just had to see her, and I thought I was too late. But I wasn't. She was still exposed, charmingly surrounded by flowers.

The coffin was pure white, as the satin interior and her clothing. A veil was covering her exposed face, and it gave her an eerie feel... Over the coffin, a huge floral arrangement made of small red rosebuds embraced her. It look beautiful. The lights on the sides, and the overall placement of all caskets was beautiful. Her mother was there, lost in her sorrow... asking her daughter to take her along, asking why her daughter could not even live long enough to at least see her son. It made my heart feel oppressed. I know the history behind Betsy's mom... She's an old lady, frail, constantly sick... and Betsy was her life... I fear this pain may be too much for her... I looked around looking for Tony, but he was not inside the chapel. So I sat for a while, observing... The whole scene was surreal. Yes, I had to go and see for myself because somehow until that moment I didn't really believe it... I hoped that it was a prank, a jest... But no, it wasn't. I did well on travelling from Mayaguez if only to be there for half an hour. Although I was deeply troubled, my mind went blank and a huge sense of relief came over me. They made the call for the mass, and I went out because I did not intend to stay for that. I knew people would get emotional, and I cannot be around that at least not for too long... I am a sponge for vibes and I know when I am getting overflooded. But I wanted to at least see Tony. As I went back into the chapel to ask for him, I felt a hand in my shoulder. At first I did not recognize him, but there he was... Funny, he found me. He smiled as we hugged. I only got to say "I almost didn't make it". And he answered "But you did". And with that I went to Joe and told him I was done, that we could go.

So... Joe spoke of food and we went to get food. He did his job well, as he made me laugh. Although I was not really thinking... But I guess that comes with the events... I don't know if I would have been able to be calm and serene if he had not been there. I arrived hyper and cranky and anxious, and he worked his magic flawlessly. Thank you, Joe. :) Then I left him at his second home.

Driving back home was like an elven reverie... Images of all that happenned in this almost 5 years that I have known Betsy... when I arrived in MIS, her sweet bitchyness with the guys, her giant attitude for a small body frame, her efficiency at work and her efficiency as a mom... Whenever I needed to stay in San Juan for a reunion or conference or whatever, she always offered her house no matter if it was the small apartment at Carolina or the crowded house in Rip Piedras... I was there at her wedding with Tony... Whenever she travelled she gave me pictures of weird places that reminded her of me (like the Salem witches museum)... Jejeje... And she was going to stay at a Cabo Rojo resort to attend my wedding with all her family. She was there to give me advise, to laugh at my jokes, to get upset at me for not being on time, to preach me, to give me the "Evil Eye", to share her food... good times and bad times, she was ALWAYS there. I guess she must be laughing, she finally made me get the toll tickets that I owed her...

A day after, and the change is visible. At least she got the best end of the bargain, she is now in a better place than we are. And it is not a goodbye, but a see you around... In the end, we will all meet again. A hug, a kiss and a smile. Thanks for everything, Betsy. :)

10-4