HAPPY 85th BIRTHDAY VIRGINIA

~~The Gayla Pink Apple~~

 

Happy 85th Birthday to my Dear Friend Virginia
A Fabulous Lady!!

Virginia - one of my fav photos of her.

I met Virginia when I was 25 years old - first day on a new job with the federal government - Internal Revenue Service in 1981.  We had the same position just in different departments.  Virginia and I immediately bonded.  She took me under her wings and showed me the ropes!!!  We quickly became friends outside of work although she was 25-30 years older than me. 

Almost every morning, shortly after I arrived at my desk, I would hear the door between our office areas open and Virginia would come around the corner and I'd hear "Good Morning Sunshine." Her wonderful spirit and beautiful smile were always a welcome to start my day. Virginia wore a lot of jewelry - something we had in common - we both loved, absolutely loved, jewelry and beautiful clothes. She seldom, if ever, was in a bad mood or showed anger or frustration towards anyone.

I was a newlywed and quickly latched on to Virginia for guidance and how to do things particularly in the kitchen.  It was long distance to call my mother in Greenbrier so I'd call Virginia.  She would stay on the phone with me and give me step-by-step directions on how to do or make whatever. 

Virginia lived with and took care of her mother.  After Mrs. Tiemann was in bed, Virginia would come over and sit and visit with us, or I'd go over to her house and watch TV and visit with her.  We were like best friends, sisters, and even little bit mother/daughter.  Although she would never replace my mother and didn't really see me as a daughter, still felt like an element of a mother/daughter relationship.  She is definitely a family member in my eyes.  I love her like no other.

Virginia is my friend that I can share anything and no matter what I share she is still my friend.  She doesn't throw things back in my face.  She doesn't criticize me if I change my mind on how I feel about things.  She rejoices with me when things are great and when good things happen in my life and is saddened for me when things do not go so great. 

Virginia knew how to knit and she made beautiful colorful sweaters for herself. One day I decided I wanted her to teach me to knit. I bought knitting needles and bright yellow yarn. Started knitting and she would come over and we would knit together. Every few rows she would stop and look at mine to make sure I was on the right track. I'd then knit on my own for a few days and she would come back over and check on my progress. To make a long story short, one day she kindly decided to finish my sweater for me. Somehow I'd gotten things a little off and ended up with a mess of a sweater that did not look like a sweater at all. She finished it and I wore it!!! I tried one more sweater for my husband and she had to finish that one as well. So that ended my knitting.

Me and Virginia at one of her retirement parties.

Virginia played the accordion (musical instrument) and sang beautifully.  She sang in her church choir many years.  She performed often, when she was younger, for weddings, events, etc.  Although I wasn't around her during those years I can imagine her singing and playing and enjoying entertaining people.  When she retired from the IRS she played and sang at her own retirement party.  My husband and I had a small private retirement party for her at our house and she cried when she opened her gift - a gold watch - which at the time I thought was very very fancy.  

Virginia playing her accordion.

Our little dog, a miniature schnauzer, loved Virginia.  He knew her voice and went crazy each time she entered the house.  She later added a schnauzer to her own home named Rebecca.  Gosh, we all loved Rebecca.  Rebecca died while Virginia was in California visiting her only relatives - couple cousins and her aunt.  I will never forget when she called me from California to tell me the dog sitter had called and told her Rebecca died.  Can you imagine, your beloved pet dying while you are traveling.  We cried together.  Today, she has another pet which is her pride and joy - Gigi.  Her tiny little black toy poodle.  She is precious for sure! I love Gigi - she jumps in my lap and acts like she likes me so I'm going to claim she does.

Years ago, I didn't have nice things like Virginia did but she was my friend anyway.  I have since acquired some nice things in my home but none of that matters to Virgina.  She gave me beautiful  antique framed maps which hang in my home today.  She has given me antiques I treasured.  She gave me a gorgeous gold mirror because she wanted me to have it.  She gave me tea sets and silver flatware because she had so many beautiful things and she wanted me to have beautiful things too. 

When I was pregnant with Blair and putting together the nursery, Virginia pulled two lovely framed pictures from her storage which at one time hung in her nursery when she was a baby.  I hung them in Blair's nursery and they are still hanging in Blair's room today.  They are treasured greatly.

 
 



At Christmas Virginia put out her Santa collection, made homemade caramel candy and shared with many her gracious hospitality and love for people.  She gave me the sled she had as a child and I put red berries on it and display it at Christmas on the front porch.  She usually comes over a day or so before Christmas with her candy and love.  She admires my decorations and makes me feel so proud to share holiday special time with her.

I could go on and on for pages about Virginia but have to stop somewhere.  I will end my blog by saying...Virginia is my dear treasured friend, who has always been by my side through thick and thin and cheers to my Virginia on her 85th birthday.  I panic of fear when I think about not having her in my life some day, but for now, she still drives, we still go to dinner, and she still is my dear and treasured friend like no other!!!!  I love you, Virginia Louise!!   You are the most fabulous 85 year old lady I know!!!

My Heart Smiles,
Gayla