thanks, and farewell, Christa

Once upon a time, this Mr. Coffee machine had belonged to her.

Then, in anticipation of a move from the islands to Pooler, she held an unusual event.

The "Take my stuff, please!" party was intended to lighten her load and save her trips to Goodwill or other places, as well as enrich her friends.

That generous spirit was greatly appreciated by us all.

 

As I brewed my morning cuppa, I thought of her.

Today was the Funeral Mass Celebration of her life.

Sadly, St. Joseph The Worker Catholic Church does not offer an online viewing platform.

I had emailed them on Monday and received the reply the very next day.

That same day, Lauri had received the same response through her contact, Christa's aunt.

My guess is Liverpool, NY, is rural enough that COVID has not been an issue for their parishioners.

 

I have traipsed back through my blogs of the past fifteen years to find stories of her as well as stories with her.

I hope this will give all who read this a picture of the lively, loving, Squirrel Mistress that we were fortunate to know.

 

Here, again, is the moving party.

https://beachoffaustina.blogspot.com/2016/04/take-my-stuff-please.html

 

This is the Wolfenoot party to celebrate her little dog.

 https://beachwalksoffaustina.blogspot.com/2018/11/have-howly-wolfenoot.html

Here was the one for her 40th un-birthday, aka "Family Day", to celebrate her adoption.

https://beachwalksoffaustina.blogspot.com/2017/09/happy-40th-squirrel-mistress.html

She received a special treat for bday39 from the Bananas!

https://beachoffaustina.blogspot.com/2016/07/angel-couldnt-save-bananas.html

 

She celebrated her 41st un-birthday with all of us as a cookout.

https://beachwalksoffaustina.blogspot.com/2018/09/happy-un-birthday-squirrel-mistress.html

 

And this is just one of her "School's out!" parties!

https://beachwalksoffaustina.blogspot.com/2019/05/widget-hobbit-and-alice-cooper-too.html

 

From 2016, her "Ugly Sweater" housewarming party in Pooler!

https://beachoffaustina.blogspot.com/2016/12/tis-season-of-parties.html

 

Plus, there was a Festivus for the rest of us!

https://beachwalksoffaustina.blogspot.com/2019/12/four-more-parties-impromptu-and-planned.html

 

Then there were the infamous parties to celebrate the latest Sharknado movies!

https://beachoffaustina.blogspot.com/2016/07/the-sharkening.html

 

Not all gatherings were at her house, like this one at Squirrel Pizza.

https://beachwalksoffaustina.blogspot.com/2019/08/look-squirrel.html

Then there was Lauri's birthday party at The Grey, too.

https://2015delights4faustina.blogspot.com/2015/12/lauris-birthday.html

Speaking of her, here's a party to celebrate the No Kidding! gang.

https://hindsightvisionfromtheocean.blogspot.com/2021/10/no-kidding.html

Remember Grumpy Cat and his movie, featured at Christa's online party?

https://hindsightvisionfromtheocean.blogspot.com/2020/12/not-elf-youfe-looking-for-on-zoom.html

Christa even hosted a ZOOMing NYE party last year!

https://hindsightvisionfromtheocean.blogspot.com/2020/12/getting-ready-for-new-year.html

My last time with her was tromping around in a corn maze.

https://beachwalksoffaustina.blogspot.com/2022/10/darth-rabbi-corn-taller-than-me-and.html

She tried to get us together for a holiday trolley tour, but the timing wasn't right.

"There'll always be next year!"

Only there won't be this time.

My BFF once told me a lesson she taught her children.

"Always go when you're invited somewhere. The invite means you're important to someone."

Amen to that.

Thanks, Christa, for your friendship these many years.