"Ohhhh, I love ya, love ya, love ya"

Memories from One Swivel Chair to the Right

She was the first face I saw when I first went into the counseling center at First Baptist. I don't know if she knew how close we would become (I think it was just her nature), but it was hug at first sight. And thus it began. Me. Dolores. And our little counseling center office. Not too many candy jar fillings later, we grew to love each other---over deciding who would take the mail to the 2nd floor, answering calls from each other's "hubbies," and laughing over her appointments with a hair dresser named "Buey."

We laughed together, cried together, prayed together although I guess most people would just classify us as we "worked together." But I think we laughed the most. (Sorry for you to find out this way, Adam). I remember so many times (usually "after hours," after she had worked a full day), she would laugh so hard she would stop breathing and just flat out cry. Sometimes it was when things went wrong on the computer and couldn't get right. When things just got more and more twisted the more we tried to figure it out. The laughing would come. She would have to turn her chair around so that she wouldn't be laughing at the waiting room. The pictures above were taken just after one of these enjoyable laughing episodes. I actually felt bad. I didn't know she would be so scared when they came up behind her with her birthday surprise at Ciro's!!! This was her birthday this year.

In all seriousness, she was a hard worker and a faithful prayer warrior. I remember so many days, I can feel it just now, how it felt to hold her hands as we would pray together in the counseling center kitchen. Those manicured, tender hands that so proudly wore her wedding ring.

I always knew her favorite time of year. It was so obvious. It was like she carried the turning of the Ohio leaves in her pocket, for she got giddy just thinking about the cool breeze, even in humid Houston. Especially if it was a cold fall. She couldn't wait for it to be "snuggling weather!!!" Oh, I am serious! The end of September was her absolute joy. She dearly loved that Dave. :) Their anniversary on the cusp of his birthday was just almost too much.

And we ALL KNOW she loved a good party. The counseling center staff meetings were proof. Matching table cloths corresponding with the appropriate holiday were a must. And often she would stay up until midnight making the dessert she couldn't find at the Barker Cypress Randall's, JUST BECAUSE it was the birthday employee of the month's favorite.

There are things I'll never forget that will be hard to do without her. In fact, I probably won't do without her. Like be able to go to Doyle's and order "the kid's spaghetti with an extra meatball, please." Or go to the Dollar Tree the week of Christmas. Every year, we would take our sack lunches (so we wouldn't waste time eating out) and use our lunch break to load up on last minutes stocking stuffers. Every year we so enjoyed it. We always went to the one at 290/Antoine. I think because she knew the Starbucks was in the same parking lot. She'd always whip in the drive thru afterwards and asked me if I wanted frappuccino to take back to work. Followed by the thought of skipping work all together and going to the Galleria. She was creative, but never executed. She loved and respected her job too much.

But couldn't love anything as much as those three grandkids! In my mind, Madison, Colton and Cameron are celebrities! We know all of their stats, talents on the stage and on the field and in the lap pool. And we are so proud of them, too! You couldn't talk to Dolores and not be proud right along with her! Christi, Judi and Craig stories were always a joy for her to tell and welcomed by us.

She studied her Bible, and loved doing it. I will always attach her faithful heart when I hear her favorite verse, Isaiah 26:3

"You will keep him in perfect peace,

Whose mind is stayed on You,

Because he trusts in You."

She shared this with me when she knew I was taking my counseling license exam. And if Dolores ever told you she was going to pray for you---she did---without fail. The title of this post was what she said often, but she meant it everytime. With arms in a full out bear hug, she'd say "Oh, I love ya, love ya, love ya." If you are reading this, have assurance that she really did. Three times over.

Here we are ---celebrating a life well- lived. However, too short by our human judgment.

But here's one thing I know:

There are a few people who make the list of being the richest people in the world.

Donald Trump. George Bailey. Dolores Schreckengost.

This very minute, she's the richest woman I know.

love~

Courtney