Rose says goodbye

Her friends were as close as family. Rose met them by merely looking for a place to live. They all had their ups and downs together. Many nights eating a smorgasbord of food or simply sharing a cheesecake taking about their day and stresses. Sometimes they even got so mad they wanted to rip each other apart. At the end of the day, they came together to forgive and forget. Their bond was stronger than blood and could only be separated by one thing.

As Rose stood at the graves of her friends, she reflected on the great times they had together. She fondly thinks back to a day where the girls were worried about getting old. She sat down to comfort Dorothy and Blanche making a pact that none of them will ever leave another behind and always be there to look after one another. Even going to a nursing home, they would go together. Rose solemnly says, “What happens when there only one of us left.”

Now is that time. Rose had been the last one and outlived them all. They all stayed friends and took care of each other for decades. Of course, Sophia went first then Dorothy and finally Blanche. It had been many years since Blanche passed away but Rose still held that passion of friendship for all of them. Standing there, Rose felt a cold breeze but a warmth of comfort from her friends’ memories.

“Well girls, it looks like I was the one that was left. I don’t blame any of you. In fact, in St. Olaf, we had many deaths. Usually, it was the herring related but it hurt all the same. Oh, I miss your stories of Italy, Sophia. Dorothy, I always cherish how you joked around with my gullible mind. And Blanche, the men still talk about you. You were such a memorable slut. I wish we all could’ve been around so much longer. I’ll also miss our cheesecake nights and the antics that we always got into. Oh, I love you guys.”

She set a white rose on each of their graves and started to walk away. She turned but before leaving she said to all three of them, “Thank you for being a friend.”

A few years later, Rose was only 3 weeks from her 100th birthday. The universe decided it was time for her ride on Earth to end. As Rose passed on, she was greeted by her best friends and family from the other side. Even though it was an afterlife, they didn’t change one bit. Sophia with her quick wit. Dorothy with her sarcastic jokes. Blanche and her heavy make-up still looking for a man.

After 10 years, Rose was finally re-united with her family she never thought she would’ve had. These friends were her forever family. Now, they never had to worry about losing one another again. Even though she had to say farewell to her blood relatives, she was happy she would spend eternity with her friends and finally see Charlie again. The girls walked her over to him and they embraced with the love and passion she hadn't felt in over 40 years. Rose was finally home with the ones she loved.

This is my tribute to the late, great Betty White. She was a warmth in our hearts and a light of the world that will never be blown out. She stood up for people that were hated against and was always proud to support the LGBT+ community. Much love. Safe journey. RIP Betty.