Rest in peace

I met Tery when we were in 5th grade. She lived on the north side of Patapsco Avenue, on 6th Street, in a huge house with about 20 relatives. She was only about seven blocks away from me but it seemed really far. Her parents were divorced and she was living with her dad and his family, from what I could gather.

Tery had crazy hair that flipped up at her temples. She was always, always smiling unless she was extremely angry. She was tomboyish and physically strong. She was so much fun and sweet and caring and generous. She never made fun of people or gossiped or acted catty in the way that girls often do.

She wasn't the best at reading social cues and could be mentally draining. Tery would come over to my house in the afternoons and we would play all kinds of goofy dress up games, play with my dogs, eat. She was always hungry. Once I was worn out from spending hours with her and had to sneak away to ask my grandmother for help in getting her to go home without hurting her feelings. My grandmother helpfully came upstairs and reminded me that I had to "go somewhere" that evening.

On our 6th grade class trip to Harpers Ferry, Tery got her first period. She told me about it. She wasn't happy about it, but didn't act embarassed or upset. She took it in stride.

I lost touch with Tery after 6th grade, when I went to a school across town. I think she moved away not too long after that. My memories of her have always remained very vivid. She had a big heart and a sunny, childlike presence.

When Tery was in her mid-20s, she met a man, fell in love and got engaged. One day while she was waiting at a red light, someone came up to her car window and shot her in the head. It was later learned that her fiance had taken out a life insurance policy on her and arranged to have her murdered.

I didn't learn Tery was dead until years later, when another 6th grade friend, Kenya, told me. Kenya and I attended the same high school and were in touch because our senior class president, who had become a psychiatrist, had just been murdered by her ex-boyfriend.

Rest in peace, Tery.
Rest in peace, Witney.
Rest in peace, Gail, David, Meagan and Brandon.

Tag--do it!!!

NSTRUCTIONS: Remove the blog in the top spot from the following list and bump everyone up one place. Then add your blog to the bottom slot, like so:

1. Vaguetarian Tea Room
2. drawing on the walls
3. temporal millionaire
4. Blahblahblah
5. Ginapea

Next, select five people to tag:
1. Sharon
2. Mary
3. Jackie
4. Kerry
5. Ansu

What were you doing 10 years ago?
Working as CBHS as a case manager, living with Husband in Mt Washington though not yet married, just starting grad school

What were you doing 1 year ago?
getting to know all the families at Sam's 2nd preschool, dealing with Sam's sensory & behavior issues, trying to keep Miranda-Cat from peeing outside the litter box.

Five snacks you enjoy:
1. ice cream
2. cookies
3. sour grapes and apples
4. good black olives
5. leftovers

Five songs that you know all the lyrics to:
1. Sari by Nellie McKay
2. Comfortably Numb by Pink Floyd
3. COuntry Roads by John Denver
4. Amie by Pure Prairie League
5. Rock Lobster by B52s

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:

work less and volunteer more
travel
get a hot tub
get nicer furniture
either move or renovate my basement (or buy my next door neighbor's house and expand!)

Five bad habits:

1. Diet Coke
2. crappy diet
3. not working out
4. laziness with finances/budget
5. staying up too late

Five things you like doing:

1. hanging out at home in my pj's doing whatever
2. sewing/crafting
3. reading
4. playing board games with friends
5. swimming

Five things you would never wear again:

1. horizontal striped mini skirts
2. acid wash denim
3. purple fishnet sneakers
4. parachute pants
5. braces

Five favorite toys as a kid:

1. dolls
2. games
3. books
4. art stuff
5. kitchen