GUEST BLOGGER--G is for Gayla (for always)...

Gayla and Sosie on my wedding day, July 7, 2007

Just like yesterday, I just couldn't write this blog in the right way. Therefore, I asked my best friend and honorary sister, SarahGF (most affectionately called Sosie), if she could write the blog for G is for Gayla this year. My sister by the same mother was not only my best friend but also the best friend of my best friend (that makes sense if you read it again). Our friendship with Sosie is one of the ONLY things Gayla and I ever shared really well. Gayla has been my focus of this blog for more than a year...I think you all will enjoy Sosie's perspective. Without further ado...please enjoy Sarah's post "G is for Gayla."

G is for Gayla

by SarahGF

It was the summer of the sno-cone. So many of those sugary shaved ice treats were devoured as we recovered from our leisurely afternoons marinating in chlorinated water and roasted under the hot sun at my in-laws’ house. Gayla was taking a sabbatical from the job search. I was in the throes of my final summer at community college, ready to start the final semesters of my journey.  During those therapeutic days we talked about our futures, pondered our fears, and debated over adding margaritas to our sessions.

We knew that summer would never last forever. But we agreed we would repeat it the following year. Little did we know it would be her last.

When Gayla passed away, it felt like I lost my cheering section. Sure, I know that’s not true, all my friends and family have been more than supportive, all of them proud I chose to follow the path back to school. But with her voice silenced, my motivation to continue waned.

Gayla had always been eager to hear how school was going. She always sat patiently and listened. She never made me feel guilty for choosing school over a social life, reminding me it was only another two years before I was finished. It felt like a lifetime, but she encouraged me to push on and we took advantage of the time we were able to spend together without any books or projects between us.

The last time I talked to Gayla, she asked me to go have breakfast and get mani/pedis with her. Although Flanagan encouraged me to go, I had to prioritize my school deadline over spending time with her. She understood and was telling me how excited she was that her boss was impressed by her work, no small feat since she was still getting her feet under her at Cintas. When I got the call from Jaimee, all I could think was that I blew her off for school and couldn’t forgive myself, nor could I focus on school. Through Jaimee’s prodding, I got back on track and immersed myself in my studies.

It’s been a year since we lost Gayla, but in a month, when I walk across that stage, I know she will be there, screaming loudest, still encouraging me to always reach for my dreams.

These are the Friends You Grow Old With...

Way back last spring, as I sat in the dark theater laughing hysterically at the comedic genius of Bridesmaids, one of my dear friends leaned over to whisper, "We are SO doing this for Sosie's wedding!" By "this" he was referring to the speech scene where Kristen Wiig and Rose Byrne's characters are trying to one-up each other's heart-felt bridesmaid speech during the engagement party.

After months of enthusiastically talking about it, it was three days before the big day when Mikey texted me, "You should write all of our speeches!" First draft went out later that day and got not a peep of response. When I saw M and J later that night, I asked if I was really not that funny. J told me that although we would get it, it would lose the rest of the audience and possibly offend most of them. Draft two was sketched together in a brainstorm, and we were set. Three hours later, the maid of honor and minor aged bridesmaid wanted in...REWRITE. I was getting excited writing for everyone and scripting in not only the words but the drama to unfold.

The morning of the wedding, I sat in my make-up, fancy hair and sweat suit, tapping a pen against my teeth trying to picture the scene. This is what I wrote:

Maid of Honor, Sister A delivers real, heart-felt speech.

Aunt J-Me: Some of my favorite memories with Sosie are those created on our many vacations. In 2004, we cruised to Mexico and were all intrigued by all of Sosie's talk of her new man, Flanagan, or as I call him, Flan-the-Man! I learned this for the two of you: Ustedes son una parte de mi, una parte que yo nunca podria vivir sin. Y espero y rezo para que nunca tenga que hacer lo."

Sister A: Thank you, "Consuela." We always felt left our when our family would speak in Spanish too. What J-Me said was, "You are a part of me, a part I could never live without. And I hope and pray that I never have to." Next we have J who wants to say something.

J-Man: Sosie, Flanagan, I didn't learn a second language for you but wanted you to know what is in my heart (long pause)...truly (long pause)...deeply (long pause, intent stare)...so far buried down (long pause, deeper meaningful stare)...deep...in...my...soul...(deep breath) I love you.

Minor Sister A and Sister A struggle with mic and big sister backs down: IT'S MY TURN! <recover, smile sweetly> Sosie, Fangman...I believe we have such a connection that y'all know all I am feeling just with a look...<stare at them intently and awkwardly for as long as you can hold it without laughing>.

Sister A : SCARY! Thank you so much for that <smile sweetly>. Well, let's wrap this up with M-Man, who has written a poem for this occasion.

M-Man: Because I am such a poet...Sosie, Flanagan, this is for you..."I know this pain, why do you lock yourself up in these chains, No one can change your life except for you..."

Sister A : Uh...you know that's a song, M...not a poem that you wrote. DJ? Hit it!

Entire bridal part sings along to Wilson Phillips Hold On and attempts to get the rest of the guests to join us singing and dancing.

We didn't write a part in for the kiddos to distract but they added their own brand of entertainment to it. GREATEST BRIDESMAID SPEECHES EVER!

Video courtesy of Darling Daughter...

It's Sosie Week in Texas!

Just in case my petition to make this week a world holiday doesn't go through, I want the world to be aware...THIS IS WORLD SOSIE WEEK! I know it won't be approved by the world so I am going to at least hope for the state. All kidding aside, this is the week that Sosie becomes Mrs. Flan-the-Man, and I couldn't be more thrilled, scared and a little worried all at the same time.

Flan-the-Man...oh wow! You couldn't find a more polar opposite from our fireball Sosie. However, they are perfect for each other. He is the consummate realist and perfect anchor for our girl. Craig makes sure we all keep our heads in the calmest most friendly way. In kind, Sarah is Craig's perfect mixture of fun and effervescence. She lights up all of our worlds with her kind heart and beautiful soul. Plus...they are going to make beautiful ginger babies!

Where does my fear and angst come in, you ask? It has nothing to do with the happy couple or their beautiful future...that part is all about me! I'll know after tonight if my bridesmaid dress actually fits. It was just a hair shy in the Ta-Da area so I took it to the tailor to have an inch more space given to my breathing ability. Add to that I am not a heal wearer, but I have the cutest pair of pumps for the big day and have been practicing walking all around our house in them so as to not stumble and fall on Sosie's big day (that might cause the first problem to become a moot point...I actually had a nightmare that I fell and the dress split open like a pinata, spilling me and my party favors out all over the chapel...not cool!).