Don't Lose Heart

Remembering Loretta: 1952 – 2011

My life has been much like a patchwork quilt. Examine it more closely, and it’s quite evident that meandering throughout most of my ‘patches,’ are threads woven deeply by a friend named Loretta Smejkal. Almost thirty years ago, her first ‘stitch’ appeared on my ‘quilt.’ We were co-workers who quickly became friends. Like me, Loretta had a deep love for family and friends along with a strong desire for a successful career. She shared a spirit of adventure that made life’s simple pleasures exciting, and understood the wanderlust that compels me to travel. Together, we went on fun-filled road trips, cruised in the Caribbean and camped in the Alaskan wilderness. We had fun and we had feuds. We shared heartaches and we celebrated victories. We were “Laverne and Shirley;” we were “Ouiser and Clairee.” She was the most stubborn ‘cuss’ I ever met and she was the sounding board I turned to when I sought wisdom to ‘do the right thing.’

Loretta was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer in 2006. She fought her illness with a level of courage, strength and dignity that surpassed the boundaries of my comprehension. When she left us, the only thing that soothed the ache in my heart, was comfort in the knowledge that she had found peace in the great ‘beyond.’ Not a day goes by that I don’t miss her.

Loretta, you taught me so much about the person I want to be. You will always remain in my heart. I love you and will miss you… until we meet again. ~ Debi