A Bad Week.

My sister-in-law Shelly died suddenly and unexpectedly on Sunday, she was 48 years old. We did not always have the best relationship and for some of it, no relationship over the last 10 years but that’s not to say we didn’t have fun in the years prior, she was a 15 year old annoying little sister to my new boyfriend when I first met her. She was so pretty, I have never seen such gorgeous hair anywhere else, I swear it was almost burgundy. She could be clingy and nosey and often drove me a little nuts but we shared a love of board games, beach trips, karaoke and making fun of her dad. She was a good singer but a terrible dancer, I remember trying to teach her how to dance in a go-go cage at a dance club, it was awkward and hilarious but there was no shame in it. I tried to teach her how to walk in heels...That didn’t work out either but honestly, heels suck anyway so there’s no loss there.

I want to share my most favorite and adventurous story where she was the hero. Shelly liked being the center of attention, so this is my gift to her:

In the mid-90’s my mom had a stalker who turned out to be her ex-boyfriend. Every Thursday vandalism and creepy things would happen such as any car that parked in front of my moms’ house would have their tires slashed, her security light would get ripped off of the side of the house and at least one time human excrement was found in the basement as it was easy to break into...You get the idea, it was getting creepier and creepier, I was worried he would graduate to murder. I decided it would be a good idea to do a stakeout as the police wouldn’t do anything unless he was caught in the act. Shelly used to really want to be a cop and she had a Bronco with a car phone, she was down to do some sleuthing. We brought candy and pop, it was like a surveillance sleepover. We were laughing and being silly, high on sugar when she spotted the stalker/ex-boyfriend creeping from behind the house. I called the police, I was super scared and trying to whisper the address, Mike (his actual name) came up to her car and bent down with a knife to slash her tires “Hi Mike!” She yelled banging on the window, his head jerking up, eyes wide and goofy. He took off running and I suddenly got brave and jumped out of the car running after him and shouting “I see YOU Mike!” Shelly got into the drivers seat and followed him, on the phone with 911 the whole time. We ended up having backup as two co-workers of my mom were also staking out the house unbeknownst to us. The stalker was apprehended and given a year probation and a restraining order. I really don’t think he would have been caught if it wasn’t for her. Thank you Shelly, I am sorry you are gone.

Charles was able to view his sister one last time today and I went for moral support but had to do it laying in the backseat as I have another abscess and surgery scheduled tomorrow... It has been a rough week between complicated feelings and physical issues I wish we could be transported to that Greek island I dream about. Give me a beautiful beach with crystal blue water and no bad news, nobody dying, no abscesses, that’s the dream. Wish me luck for tomorrow and an extra pinch of sparkle to stop this cycle, I would appreciate it.

Until next time❤️