Hot-N-Ready Heidi

Heidi Chamberlain died on Friday the 20th. Heidi was my co-worker for 10 months. She was the run-off queen. We shared an office and each others friendship. Heidi was hospitalized back in the 1st week of October when her aorta burst. She beat the odds and survived, but the damage from the lack of blood flowing to her brain ultimately led to 7 weeks in a coma, and massive rehabilitation to have any bit of a normal life. Even after making significant progress like learning how to breathe on her own and walk again, she didn't want to live like that. Everyone who knew Heidi deep down knew she would have rather of died that have been a burden on her family. After telling Greg she didn't see herself getting any better she let her spirit slip away.

We had visited Heidi back in the end of January and it just broke my heart to see her like that. She didn't look like Heidi. You could tell that her tinkle and spunk was missing. It was extremely emotional as she cried the whole 45 minutes we were there. When I went to leave she grabbed my arm and wouldn't let go. I knew more than anything that she didn't want to be there. If she could of held on, I'm sure she would have had me drag her all the way back to North Ogden. Greg showed more dedication and love that most people will ever realize. He was at her side every free moment he had. I had only met Greg twice but, I'm amazed that he recognized me and talked to me like an old friend. Even more so at the viewing I watched numerous people offer there sympathies and he reacted with kindness, but be actually put his am around me and thanked me for everything I did. I feel unworthy of such a compliment where as I really didn't do anything special.

Heidi and me really gained a tight friendship quickly. Moving to Bates from Marlon was such a great opportunity and Blessing in my life. As much as I learned at Marlon I didn't enjoy it there. I could talk with some of the teacher and was actually friendly with some of them, but I was never able to forge a great friendship with anyone. They were a very closed school to new people, new ideas, as well as helping other. I was instantly accepted at Bates and feel an integral part of the dynamics of this school. Heidi was key in making my welcome here special. We were more like brother and sister than co-workers. We were able to give each other a hard time, help each other out, and listen to each other problems all in the same conversation.

What amazes me the most is what I didn't know about The influence i had on her. Staci and me had the chance to talk with her daughter Michelle at the viewing and I'm humbled by a few of her compliments. She said how much Heidi loved me and how many times she told them how good I was, and how good some of the advice I gave her was. Even if it was just getting wallpaper off a wall. I can't believe Michelle thought about the Hot-N-Ready pizza was a big enough part of her life to bring it up in the funeral. It was just me teasing her by tripping at Little Caesar's pizza and hurting her shoulder. I came up with the slogan Denise made the signs and we hung a few up. To think that was funny enough to make her share it with her family then be used in a funeral. I guess you can never take for granted the time you have with someone and the impact you might have on their lives. I'm not a very compassionate or sympathetic person. I joke with most people and I like to have a good time. I never would have imagined that the impact I had on others could be so influential in their lives outside of work. Heidi will be missed by many people. I miss her friendship. She truly was a great person, all 5 feet of her. I hope that her family will be able to move on and know that this is what she would have wanted. Goodbye for now, I'll see you on the other side.

Can't we all just get along.

It has been an interesting last couple of weeks. Between family fights and the everyday grind of life it's amazing that anyone talks with anyone. I can't wait for upcoming events to be over so that life can return to some sort of normalcy. Peyton will be blessed on Easter Sunday, which is going to be fine except now we need to explain to Kennedy why the Easter Bunny probably won't make it to our house until late in the afternoon. Then Brett's wedding is well...stressing everyone out. I know it will all work out and will be everything anyone ever wanted. Getting us to that point just might kill everyone. Everybody is walking on eggshells to please the Bride and Groom which is fine, it's their wedding. It's just called communication. Make a plan and stick with it. If you change your mind, no problem... let us know what the new plan is. Don't get pissed off because we question the plan. We just need to know what the plan is or why it changed. Every question or comment made is not a personal attack. Everybody all at once.....Deep breath in.....hold.....exhale. Repeat 10 times. Now don't we all feel better. Let's just remember our personality profiles and we can all get along better. I'm a D-type personality: direct, domineering, decisive. I can be flexible. Staci C-type personality: calculating, concise, cautious. Great! love you dear. The more info you give her the better she is. If you change your mind - fine. Give her more info. Brett D-type personality, see above. Amber I-type personality. Should be able to get along with anyone. Relax people and communicate with each other. We can all get along. I don't post this to be cruel or to piss anyone off. As a semi-outsider to all the fighting, it's just not worth it. I taught Sunday school two weeks ago and the lesson was about being friendly to each other. Yesterday's lesson was on being a peacemaker (it must mean we need a little peace in our life). To summarize the two lessons, swallow your pride and extend the olive branch. You can be right and still be civil. You don't need to be the weak one to show kindness. Blessed are the peacemakers. You can be entitled to your own opinions, but you are not entitled to make those whose opinion differs from yours to feel miserable. I know I'm not innocent and even get a little thrill on pushing the events, but really let's be adults.