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There’s a bestseller called Tuesdays with Morrie. I had my Mondays with Lorie.
Morrie had ALS. So did Lorie.
In the book Mitch Albom spends time with his professor Morrie each Tuesday. Each Monday I read to Lorie.
But not this Monday.
Lorie could not speak, laugh, eat or breathe. But she could blink her beautiful eyes.
If you aren’t familiar with ALS (if you aren’t God has blessed you) everything stops working but your brain. You are fully aware that you can’t speak, laugh, eat or breathe.
Three of us were reading to her. Three different books on three different days.
One day Dean Koontz, another day Water for Elephants. I was reading Gone Girl. It’s a twisted book.
Lorie’s husband would walk by and hear me reading …fuck this and fuck that…and then there’d be a sex scene.
It’s one of my favorite books. It’s a must read. Just not a must read out loud to a friend with a husband and a daughter nearby.
When we finished the book 2 weeks ago I had an uneasy feeling.
We were deciding what to read next… either Defending Jacob or The Hunger Games.
But Lorie died.
She had suffered with ALS for five years.
Her Doctor said she didn’t give up the fight, she just ran out of bullets.
The morning that she died I was sitting in traffic.
While I was pissed and impatient…Lorie took a last look at her family.
While I was bitching. She was dying. Bravely and peacefully.
Her memorial is today.
This weekend I danced at the Dizzy Feet Dance Gala for the arts (I should not dance in front of real dancers lIke Nigel Lythgoe, Adam Shankman, Christina Applegate, Chita Rivera and Paula Abdul)
And this weekend I danced at a wedding.
Lorie’s daughter Sadie is a beautiful dancer. She is the same age as Nash. I have endless baby photos them. In some they are naked in the shower. No I won’t show those.
I have seen Sadie dance many times. I have gone to many of her recitals.
Today I will go to her Mother’s funeral.
Lorie won’t get to dance at Sadie’s wedding.
But I know Lorie is out of that wheel chair.
And I think she is dancing…
So sorry, Dorothy. You gave her so much pleasure…long sighhhh…some things are just not to be understood…for the moment at least. I found out my chiropractor had to have his eye removed when I went to see him last week…I was shocked…I had thought it was just cataract surgery. I have known him for 15 years. Treasure the moments you have…every single one…and be there for those whose moments get tough,,,I think just acknowlaging it helps to a degree.
Blessings…
what a beautiful tribute letter to your friend …..may she REST in Peace and her family and friends have peace in knowing that she is at peace and watching over you all
Dorothy,
Your tribute to Lorie, is perhaps, the most touching thoughts I’ve ever seen from your most prolific pen. I am so sorry for your loss. Lorie must have been a terrific friend…and I’m sure she felt the same love and friendship for you.
God Bless both of you.
Nick
Hoste de evicto Requem
A beautiful love letter. Praying for peace, and everlasting hope for her family.
“Laughter through tears is my favorite emotion”. You gave me this emotion this morning. Not every woman is lucky enough to have a friend like you. This was beautiful, thank you & comfort to Lorie’s family.
perfect ! just like Lorie. she was lucky to have you and we were all lucky to have her. xo
need to borrow that book for the houseboat trip. 
This is a beautiful love letter to your dear friend. Thank you for sharing it with us and reminding us to always be thankful and cherish life’s precious moments…
I’m so sorry for the loss of your dear friend. Part of your post reminded me of 6 years ago next week, at the very same time that I was being pulled over and getting a speeding ticket, in a big hurry to get to a dumb appointment, my oldest friend was dying at a nearby hospital. I’m glad you had the opportunity to spend time with your friend these last few years, and bring some joy to her life. God bless her family.
Lovely, heartfelt tribute. And you seem like you were a great friend to her. Sorry for your loss…
My condolences to you and Laurie’s family.
Your heartfelt piece is an ode to friendship, and I am glad you danced this weekend, she would have loved for you to do so! She was probably, dancing right along with you!
Waves of love being sent your way. God bless you!
Dorothy i have a friend who is at this very moment dying from ALS too..he’s had it for almost 9 years and is now paralyzed..His father and uncle both died from it so he knows what is coming. It is so hard to imagine what they go through every day and it just breaks your heart to see them lose their quality of life..I am so sorry you had to lose your dear friend to that horrendous disease. It really does put life into perspective and makes us all realize what is important and the little things we all take for granted should be cherished every single day. I know this will be a sad day for you, but there’s no doubt Lorie knows how much you loved her and she will be with you in your memories until you meet up again someday.
So sorry Dorothy. Take care
I too lost a dear person to this evil disease. She had read Tuesdays w/Morrie and was planning on watching it the Saturday night it premiered on T.V, Instead she died of ALS that night. I lived in SoCal and she lived in Northern Cal. I flew up once a month to be with her. This was to be the last weekend in Dec. 1999.that I would see her. I was in bed with her while she took her last breathes and slipped away, while her husband was in the other room awaiting the inevitable. She was my “sister”, “best friend”, and “First Cousin” of fifty some odd years all rolled into one. There was no one like her nor will there ever be. God bless you “Walli”, I still miss you so much. It took me years to be able read Tuesdays w/Morrie and I never could actually watch it because I lived it………….RIP
Thank you all so much for all the lovely comments. So much love. xo DL
Such sweet sentimental words Dorothy. Your beloved friend leaves an enduring legacy of friendship and love. There are no words for a proper condolence….but I sincerely pray for peace and strength for her poor heartbroken family. These sad and grieving moments remind us all to be grateful for our loved ones and to appreciate all that we have.
Thank you for sharing your love letter….when your heart has healed a bit, please consider blogging about your recommended books or doing a book club (like Oprah). I;ve added your recommendations to my list and quite often appreciate a good book.
Cheers to better days…
What a gorgeous message. You and Lorie were blessed to have each other.
The mother of my close friend died of ALS so I am somewhat familiar with the massive struggle
for the patient and the helplessness a care giver feels. But you gave her so much.
Now you have one more angel watching over you with as much love as you watched over her.
Dorothy,
That was beautiful. My brother and niece are so licky to have you in their lives. You made a difference in Lorie’s life and I thank you from the bottom of my of my heart.
I love that she was read to, it’s so sweet that you gave such quality time to her. I know it must have made her day because when we had family gatherings even though she couldn’t speak she was rught there in the mix and all so included, with happiness in her eyes and smile laughing right beside us.
I hope others with ALS have friends like Lorie had, like you!
PS
I miss your morning show, my hubby and I enjoyed you for years:(
Thank you Lisa. It was lovely to meet the entire family. Much Love xo DL
ALS & Cancer
Dorothy what a lovely tribute to your friend. I to have excepted the challenge . My story is kinda similar but invokes Cancer.. My friend of thirty years plus was just put on hospice. Our kids grew up together, were in weddings together. We did Camping. fishing NASCAR together . I am saddened at the thought of next time we go racing her beautiful blue eyes won’t be there smiling. She intro me to my first big girl glass of Chardonnay . Kendal Jackson our quiet time.i will miss my friend like you.. So I gladly accept the challenge and will donate to both causes .
I am so deeply sorry about your friend. Xo
Beautiful…just Beautiful
Memories …