Today is Sunday. My two girls went to church today. Dad slept in- but I probably should have gone along. My oldest daughter Stephanie will turn 13 in June this year. She is an Acolyte at church. She lights the candles at the start of the service, and extinguishes them at the end. That’s the same job that I had - at the same church when I was 13. I was baptized at Bayshore Lutheran church more than 50 years ago, I was married there, been a member all my life. Some things never change… and some things do change.I remember the first day Angie started working at Walgreens. Angie is short for Angelina. I thought she was cute. I had a bit of a crush on her. Over the few years we worked together, Angie was always nice to me, we were friends, but I can’t say we became close friends. When I got a new TV, Angie bought my old one. It was 25 inch model that had to weigh a hundred pounds or more. Angie, Mary, and I worked together to move it from my 2nd floor apartment, to Angie’s house. I think that was the first time I was at Angie’s house.
Angie was diagnosed with scleroderma, a rare autoimmune disease that affects the skin, connective tissue, and internal organs. There is no cure. Sometimes the disease is manageable, sometimes not.
I don’t remember when Angie called me. I think it was sometime after the start of 1986. I don’t remember if it was while I was still working at Walgreens or after I left. Angie wanted to meet with me. We had lunch together and talked for a while. Angie had an oxygen tank with her, the kind with a plastic hose that goes under the nose. Her disease was progressing. Angie was doing her best to fight back. Angie was a rare and unique person. She was gentle and kind, that’s what I remember most about Angie.
I took some pictures back when we worked at Walgreens – I haven’t looked at them in a long time. Those pictures bring back a lot of memories. We were a pretty close bunch of co-workers. We were all friends with each other to some extent. Some friendships were closer than others. I wish I had gotten to know Angie better. I wish I had more time to talk with Angie.
Angie lost her fight with her disease on September 2nd 1994, she was 37 years old.
I’ll remember you Angie,
And I miss you.
Angie really was a special, gentle person. She always would came back by me in the mix room when I mixed chemicals. Always with a smile on her face and that boisterous, one-of-a-kind laugh! At one time she lived near me. I was on the south side of the Menomenee Valley, she was on the north side. We shopped in the same shopping center. Every once in a while, after I left Walgreens, I'd run into her at the food store. I'd give her a ride home, across the 27th street viaduct. She was thrilled to ride in my semi-tractor.
ReplyDeleteMy last year at WW was my favorite. Often, on Thursdays, Jim Brockoff, Angie, Mary Nowacki and I would go over to the Cape of Good Hope on 43rd street to unwind. Sometimes we go to Alberts. When ever we were together we had a blast. Good times, good friends.
Angie you brightened my life for too short a time. I hope you found peace.
Bob LeHew