Hello Friends and Welcome Back. I started writing this post on the Random Rants page when I realized that what I would like to talk about today is more personal and deserves to be here. If you did happen to read my last post on Random Rants, you would know that I was stressing about this month. Here we are with but a few days remaining I look back on this month and instead of dwelling on the sadness I would like to have faith in the good things and memories we can cherish.
A few days after my last post I found out through social media that my West Coast fam lost a very dear man. A man I considered my "Bar Dad." When I first started working at this dive bar in North Hollywood I was a bit reserved as I am in any new Bar/Restaurant position. I like to take in the lay of the land, learn the system and who the patrons are and what they need. So in comes comes Tim and his wife Joyce. Patrons. Joyce, a lovely woman I would reference as my "Bar Mom" and consider a great friend. And then there was Tim. He coined me with the nickname "Quiet". He's walk in and take is seat on his stool and yell"Hey Quiet, can I get a beer?!" When I finally broke my reservations and started coming out of my shell, he was surprised but delighted. "Quiet" actually had a personality! Over my time out West I am glad to know that I was able to meet such a great delight on this Earth.
A few days after my last post I found out through social media that my West Coast fam lost a very dear man. A man I considered my "Bar Dad." When I first started working at this dive bar in North Hollywood I was a bit reserved as I am in any new Bar/Restaurant position. I like to take in the lay of the land, learn the system and who the patrons are and what they need. So in comes comes Tim and his wife Joyce. Patrons. Joyce, a lovely woman I would reference as my "Bar Mom" and consider a great friend. And then there was Tim. He coined me with the nickname "Quiet". He's walk in and take is seat on his stool and yell"Hey Quiet, can I get a beer?!" When I finally broke my reservations and started coming out of my shell, he was surprised but delighted. "Quiet" actually had a personality! Over my time out West I am glad to know that I was able to meet such a great delight on this Earth.
As One Door Closes. We Will Open Another.
So on my way home from work I started stopping into the Brickyard. A bar/restaurant where I could always see a familiar face or make a new friend, grab the best BBQ in town..the list goes on. Yesterday was the day the doors closed for good. Two weeks ago after work, I checked my phone to receive a text... "Have you heard the news?" Of course my thought process went straight to... Who passed? And as I walked into the Brickyard that night it was indeed as if someone had passed. The employees were told that day that in 11 days, the doors were closing. Tears all around and a general dead weight were on all shoulders. In just a short few months I had gained a family in a city I was so sure I didn't belong, and here this family was being dismantled. Over those next 11 days we struggled with finding a new home, we still are as there is no other place like the yard within distance to our homes that we can collectively gather on a familiar basis. So yesterday we rallied. As the building has been sold and they are gutting the entire restaurant and bar random shenanigans ensued. As much fun as we wanted to have, make memories and enjoy the end of Brickyard days... Sadness was in the air. Where we go from here I do not know but what I do know is that I have made some of the best friends I could have ever imagined in this city. Forever friends and they may have taken our home, but we will find a new one. And then there was this...
22 Years Mom.
Cheryl Lynn Binkley. The pretty lady in the middle was my mom. She was a very hard working, fun, charismatic, hard-ass mom. I'm the little miss Piggy on the left and my half sister is on the right. I had 13 years with her and as of October 19th, it's been 22 years since she moved on from this Earth. So yes, October has always been a tough month for me walking in. This year however, I was not overcome by grief and depression. 22 years later I feel as though I have excepted this tragedy is a part of my story and has only made me stronger rather than weaker over the years. My mother will always be a part of my life and of my story. I can only hope she is resting in Heaven with a calm and peace like no other knowing that we are all O.K. and we will see her again.
So as this post comes to an end, I thank you for sharing your time with me and my thoughts. We never know when one story may begin and find another ending. But if we take the time to cherish the people and places around us, they will forever find a home in our hearts. You friend, have found a home in mine.
Cheers,
Blondesheep
So as this post comes to an end, I thank you for sharing your time with me and my thoughts. We never know when one story may begin and find another ending. But if we take the time to cherish the people and places around us, they will forever find a home in our hearts. You friend, have found a home in mine.
Cheers,
Blondesheep