Saturday, JANUARY 14, 2023 @ 5:35 PM ET
DAY 13
A Sigh of Relief!
I got up this morning getting ready for the funeral. My speech was a tribute to Gwen and the memories we shared.
Like the time when she got her first car, she said, “Giles, let’s go to Chicago!” which I promptly responded, “Okay. Let me throw something in a suitcase!” And off we went.
There was the time she purchased a set of brand-new luggage from this luggage shop located at the foot of Woodward Avenue in downtown Detroit. I just had to have it too, so I went to that shop and got my own set of the exact same luggage. And I was working on getting that first car as well.
When she got her first job at a brokerage firm called Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner and Smith and they asked her to recommend some of her friends (because they liked her so much) the first person she called was me. I got hired on the spot. I was so thankful.
I’ll never forget that sense of humor she possessed. When things got bad for her, she really kicked up the humor a notch. For example, she always had a tale to tell about her father whom she addressed as L.D. Johnson. He was very strict and didn’t allow her to have any boyfriends or receive phone calls after 10:00 pm. On her 16th birthday, he sat outside in the driveway with a shotgun in his hand. The man was crazy, but she managed to find a way to get through all of it. One way was humor. We loved hearing the stories and couldn’t wait to hear what she was going to tell us next.
During funeral mass, I read a verse from Roman’s. Victor had the Repast at his home. My son Clyde and I went over there and ate a meal prepared by a chef of the family. Everything was so delicious. We took pictures with Victor and Angela and then we left. The day is just about over and I’m tired.
As you can see, I’m blogging late. Well, I’m done. I’ll get to the emails tomorrow. They are really piling up.
Shirley Harris-Slaughter
Click on Member Chat to catch up with other RRBC Bloggers
Shirley Harris-Slaughter 
Hi, Shirley,
I like your Gwen already. She was a beautiful person and what you two experience was not only friendship but Sisterhood.
Take care.
Shalom aleichem
LikeLiked by 1 person
I always kept just a few friends around, and we were never up in each other’s lives all the time; but we were there when needed. That is sisterhood.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Shirley,
So is it with me. Three of my besties live in America and four live here. We don’t see each other often but when one needs help we’re there.
Thank you for coming by.
Shalom aleichem
LikeLiked by 1 person
I worked at E.F. Hutton after college, a competitor of Merrill Lynch. I loved working on Wall Street, where the pace was fast and exciting.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Susanne, it was something different that’s for sure. Ticker tape flowing across the wall. Located downtown, we got a lot of personnel from Canada which was just on the other side of the tunnel from Detroit to Windsor.
LikeLike
When I was 14 YO, I had a Detroit newspaper route. The Sunday paper was usually a half-inch thick and weighed almost a pound. And with over a hundred customers, it was most difficult to pull a wagon or ride a bike (sacks on the handlebars and saddlebags on the back) – especially during the winter. So…I’d push my father’s 1958 Ford Galaxie out of the garage and down the alley a bit, starting it a few houses away so my father wouldn’t wake if hearing me. I then used his car every Sunday to pick up and deliver my papers…always sure to return home before they woke up. All went well for several weeks until I saw him walking down the sidewalk on one of the streets of my route. I was frozen stiff with fear. He simply emptied the car of newspapers onto the sidewalk, started the car, and drove home. I was left without a bag to carry the papers which forced me to use the spot as a central dispatch center, load up an armful of papers, deliver them and return to reload. It did take me a couple of hours to finish the route and I wasn’t looking forward to returning home that day to my father’s wrath.
PS. Mi requirement for a license was 16 YO and the repercussions/penalties of what I did never occurred to me. Needless to say, I couldn’t sit for a week.
LikeLiked by 1 person
John, in my working career, I was employed with the Detroit Free Press so I do remember how big the Sunday paper was. I also was a subscriber before I ever got a job there. The paperboys were the engine that kept the paper running. And you were only 14. I guess your father was trying to impress upon you the danger of driving so young. My son was also about that age, and he used a bike. When neighborhood dogs got loose, I started getting up to take him. I was terrified he might get bitten. I think the starting age should have been 16. Now mostly adults are clearing miles of routes and using their cars these days.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Shirley, Gwen sounds like an amazing friend. Your memories are a beautiful tribute to her. You need to rest after an emotionally exhausting day. Sending hugs, love, and prayers.
Blessings,
Patty
LikeLike
Thank you, Patty!
LikeLike
Shirley, your friend, Gwen, sounds really special and dear to you. You must miss her so much. This is a lovely post about her.
LikeLike
It sounds like your speech was a beautiful tribute to a dear friend. Sending you hugs, Shirley!
Yvette M Calleiro 🙂
http://yvettemcalleiro.blogspot.com
LikeLiked by 1 person
Get some rest, dear lady!
LikeLiked by 1 person
John, I plan to do just that. I’m turning off this computer now. LOL!
LikeLike