When there are people who have been customers of yours for years, you sometimes get to know them, more and more, on a personal level, as time goes by – especially, when they are my customers. Virginia, has been one for six years – she is one of my first. Every once in a while, she would have me come over and rake out the leaves of her back yard, and when I was done, she would always want to pay more than my asking price. “I believe that everyone's time is valuable.” she would tell me. Last month was the last time I saw her.
I just came back from her burial service, barely two hours ago. It was the first funeral I've ever gone to in my life. All I can say is I wish nobody ever had to go to funerals; I wish we didn't need them - but you know what they say, death is a part of life. That's one part of life I don't particularly care for. I still cannot believe she is dead. It is mind boggling how someone can be here talking to you, laughing and joking one moment and then suddenly they are not with us anymore.
At least she didn't suffer too much. Her death was very sudden. It came as a shock to us all. A mere ten days after she first experienced symptoms, she passed away last Thursday, finally succumbing to a nasty cancer, which had already spread throughout her body long before anyone knew. Two of Virginia's neighbors and close friends (also two long-time customers of mine), told of how she seemed perfectly normal, and was going about her usual business when they saw her and chatted with her, only two weeks ago. It was these two neighbors, who, on Saturday, informed me of Virginia's death and asked me to come with them to her funeral. And there was lots of music at her funeral, for Virginia loved music, and, in fact, she loved to sing in the choir at her church.
Farewell Virginia 
- the Fuchian :'(
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| Farewell To A Longtime Customer |
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luvmycats
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Mar 19 @ 2:53PM
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I'm sorry you have lost your customer...friend. You are indeed very fortunate to have lived this long before having to attend a funeral. I would be hard pressed to count all the ones I have been to. It is a hard thing to do, but it is needed for the loved ones left behind. 
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Kaylajudy
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Mar 19 @ 3:08PM
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My sons went through a similar situation when they were younger. They started their own lawn business at age of about 12 years, and they had one lady who always took them out to dinner afterwards, plus tipped them extra, and made desserts for them. When she passed away my sons went to the auction of her home, and it was heartbreaking for them. They became really attached to their customer as well.
I am sorry to hear of your loss. As you know, I lost my mom last month - it's really hard for those left behind. I take it one day at a time now. It all comes back to fact we all need to not neglect visiting those who mean so much to us, that we just never know when we will not have them around. I'm sure you have very fond memories of this lady.
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legacy1
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Mar 19 @ 3:23PM
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Like they say man...Live life today as it's your last day here on Earth...it just might be! I am sorry for your loss! 
Rick
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MintSummer
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Mar 19 @ 3:46PM
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Death sux ... especially when you work in the medical field. I get asked all the time how I deal with it, and my answer is ... I have faith that one day I will see each person I have come to know, enjoy, and care about in my life. I have faith that they have moved on to where they will never know again the pain they experienced in life b/c life is just a testing field for Glory. I have faith that I let my patients go with as much dignity as possible, and I have faith that when my time comes, everyone I have touched in life and gone before me, will be there to greet me with open arms. Have Faith.
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redhotzz
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Mar 19 @ 4:03PM
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I am so sorry for your loss of your friend! I work in the ER and deal with death almost daily. It never, ever gets any easier. I deal with it hoping that IF I am the final person a patient sees or deals with before they pass that it's as I would want to be treated if it were me or my son in their place....it's that simple. I see people in stores who hug me months or years after a loved on has passed just because on that day they were too distraught to hug or thank me then. It's happened so much that my son now wants to be in the healthcare field in some way....fine with me....as long as he's doing what HE wants to do.
Your friend is proud of the way you are honoring her!
hotzz
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eaglhwk7
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Mar 19 @ 4:49PM
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awwwwwwwwww 
what a wonderful thing to read about a fantastic lady. Wish more people would write things like this about people who pass away cause it gives us a chance to know her as well.
The loss is great and we can only support you with a word and thought but you have had a friendship of a lifetime...
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lazygirl
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Mar 19 @ 4:49PM
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sorry for your loss!!
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edthepoet
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Mar 19 @ 4:58PM
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What a classy lady you met and had a customer.
She was very right in what she told you, just never forget her great life lesson.
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mystery2u888
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Mar 19 @ 6:12PM
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 sorry for you loss...it is a very difficult thing to go thru...
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iam7545
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Mar 20 @ 1:38AM
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Fuchia - thanks for sharing your experience. I was thinking of posting my first blog tonight and thought it was too personal - so reading yours has inspired me. I always wonder why good people like your neighbor have to suffer. After all there are so many not so good people that somehow seem to deserve it more.
The wife of one of my closest friends was recently diagnosed with ovarian cancer. After having a tumor removed from her brain 2 weeks ago they had their meeting today with the Oncologist and were told that her cancer has spread throughout her body and that she would need to start aggressive radiation treatments and then chemo. Her prognosis is bad.
I am good friends with both Alan and Terry. I have had other close friends suffer through cancer and learned to let my personal fears go and try to be there the best way possible. I feel so very sad for Terry and Alan and spent some time crying with some friends about it last week - yet I still feel so helpless. I knew their appointment was this morning and couldn't help being scared for her. I called another friend 10 times and he called me 20 times to see if one of us had heard anything yet. I never know when it is right to give people space in times like this. I left Alan a message to let him know I was thinking about Terry and asked him let me know what happened when he felt up to it. Unfortunately I know that I will feel this awful awkwardness again - and again. Late in the afternoon he called another friend with the bad news and had him call me. I was driving so I pulled over and stopped to take it all in and let myself feel the sadness. I also thought what a horrible cruel ordeal Terry will be facing in the months to come. Of course I said a prayer for her healing.
The blessings that having people like Terry and Allan as close friends far outweigh the deep sadness I feel at times like this.
God please bless her with complete healing - amen.
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SunBabe
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Mar 20 @ 1:49AM
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Awww m'dear Fuchia, I'm glad you recognize the beautiful spirit that Viginia posessed and shared. And what a special friend (and comfort) you were to her two neighbor ladies. ...and it's obvious that they are all far more than customers. They're so lucky to have someone as caring as you are.
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fuchia04
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Mar 20 @ 7:16PM
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Iam7545, we are sort of a family here on MatchDoctor, so you will often find that we share some of the most personal things in our lives. Feel free to share yours; that's what the blogging community is all about.
By the way, I am sorry to hear about your friend. Cancer is a very horrible way to die, and I don't think I would want to wish that on my worst enemies... but like I said, thankfully, Virginia didn't suffer for very long. Some spend months or years, suffering in untold misery, fighting this battle before finally succumbing to the cancer they were afflicted with. It is not pretty.
Mercifully, Virginia was spared this fate. And, now, I am sure she is in a better place, but she will certainly remain here in the hearts of everyone who knew here - and yes SunBabe, Virginia was, indeed, a beautiful spirit. It was obvious by the hundreds of people who showed up at her service, who cared for her. However, I witnessed her kind personality, first hand, every time I visited her house to help her with whatever she needed help with...
Anyway, I want to thank everyone who posted. I appreciate all the kind words offered.
- the Fuchian 
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iam7545
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Mar 20 @ 8:52PM
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Thanks fuchian - its good to meet real people like you here or anywhere - My admiration man!
gary
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