Sunday, April 18, 2021
I have known Pammy, alias Spammy (Pam + Stan), since she began teaching in Woodhaven. She was energetic and full of enthusiasm. She had an infectious smile and taught with great energy and passion. Her students loved her.
We got to be great friends and found ourselves within a group of staff women that planned gatherings. We called ourselves, Ya2 (Ya to the second power). Laughter was a must for gathering and we included food/movies/stories and adult beverages – not necessarily in that order.
Even when the group no longer met, our friendship remained. We spent time up north at her place or mine. We floated on rafts, canoes and kayaks all summer long. We spent hours fishing, laughing, dancing, eating fabulous food and talking. There were times one of us had to work out something and we talked into the night. We have laughed till tears ran down our faces. Likewise, we shared tears till our eyes were puffy. She lived life with such intensity. If she wasn’t living at 100 percent, she would add something else to her schedule. At one time, she worked 3 jobs and checked off some of her bucket list.
We made plans to be the old ladies with blue hair, waders, sharing a bait box and a thermos of margaritas. Our shared faith reminds me that death is temporary, and life is eternal. So, there is still plenty of time.
The last time I saw her was when She and Stan visited in Florida. When she had the energy, we used it up. Upon leaving, we both had tears in our eyes. She hugged me and said, “Don’t worry, we’ll be back to visit next year.” The next month on March 24, Stan called with words that still cause me to tremble, “Pam has Covid.”
She now lives farther than here, but closer in my memories. On a still night, I believe I hear the her laughter drift over the lake. Then I feel the peace.