RIP MRS. 'B' (The Gift)

Bebee, Elizabeth (Bess)

Passed away suddenly at Lakeridge Health in Oshawa on Tuesday, March 30, 2010 at the age of 70. Bess Bebee (nee Garrison) wife of the late Roy Bebee. Loving mother of Laura (Kevin) Engelsman, Angela (Doug) Wright and Audrey Bebee and her companion Jeremiah Knight. Dear grandmother of Raymond Engelsman and his girlfriend Natasha Handley. Sister-in-law of Mickey Garrison and predeceased by her brother Reg Garrison and survived by her sister Flo Hawkey. At the request of Bess Bebee no funeral service was held. Memorial donations in her memory may be made to the Port Perry Hospital Foundation. Funeral arrangements entrusted to Low and Low Funeral Home, Port Perry (905) 985-7331.

This is my best friend's Mother.  Mrs. "B" resided with Laura and her family

on their 98 acre farm.

We became friends many years ago as children, growing up on the same street where my parents still live.  There was a group of us that all hung around together.  Typical of a group of kids, especially consisting of mostly girls, there were disputes and disagreements.  As a result, I always believed Mrs. "B" did not really like me as I regularly butted heads with her middle daughter, Audrey.

Regardless, my friendship with Laura has stood the test of time and distance and we remain best friends.  Hubs and I visit the farm regularly.  Mrs. "B" would always host a lovely dinner while we visited and then we would awake to a huge country breakfast, always with a pot of coffee on and a cheerful smile!  Laura and I would occasionally discuss the fact that I always believed her Mother did not like me but Laura would assure me, that was well in the past.

The night before Mrs. "B" passed, the family enjoyed an evening out together at a local pub. She suffered a massive stroke sometime during the night so sadly, nobody had time to say goodbye.

Upon reading her Will, there was a paragraph that stated Mrs. "B" had left instructions, in handwriting, on various items and possessions around the house, indicating who they were to go to.  As the family started going through all of her possessions they would examine each item closely, looking for any notations left by Mrs. "B"., but found nothing.  Months passed.

Laura & Kevin came to spend the weekend with us just before the holidays.  This was a rare occurrence as they can't normally get away from the farm and their chores.  When they walked in the house they had a very large box in their hands.  Laura placed it on my dining room table and said this was something for me from her Mother.  What did she mean?  I was surprised & confused.  Open it, I was told.

  In the box was a large crock, one that was kept in Mrs. "B"'s office.  I have a small collection of crocks but still didn't understand how this was coming into my possession.  Laura turned the crock over to show me her Mom's handwritten message on the bottom. 

Lisa & Glenn!  That's us!  The crock was intended for us and it is the only item in the farmhouse, so far, that has been designated specifically for somebody.

I guess I was wrong ... Mrs."B" really did like me and now I'll forever have her special gift to remember her by, forever!

R.I.P.