I met Claudia about 25 years ago. We worked at a surgeons office and probably spent more time together than we did with our families. She has been pivetol in my life. She showed me what it means to be a good person, a good friend, and a Christian woman. She was such a kind and gentle soul. She was a Godly woman and she loved the Lord and rejoiced in His being and forgiveness. I know when Claudia passed, she went from the loving arms of her husband and children, straight into the loving arms of God.
She and Gary had such a wonderful relationship. I don't know how many times we laughed because he always called Claudia "his bride". He would call up to the office and say, "this is Gary Crafton and I would like to speak to my bride" or he would come into the office and say "I am here to pick up my bride." They were really like two peas in a pod. My heart hurts because I know how much Gary loves and misses her.
Claudia never saw the negative in things she always tried to find the positive in situations and people. Many years ago, when I was truly at my darkness, I really didn't know which way to turn. I was in the dark, but she showed me the light. I can never express the changes she made in my heart, my very soul because she was that special of a person.
On a lighter note, I can't tell a story about Claudia without mentioning "shopping." Anyone who has ever gone shopping with Claudia knows what I am talking about. Our first true shopping experience was in OKC at the Affair of the Heart show. As you know, there are rows and rows of booths and stalls. Now, when I go shopping I look around for a second and if nothing catches my immediate attention I move on to the next booth. But NOT SO with Claudia. She would go into a booth, look at every single item there, talk to the owner of the booth and by the time she moved on she knew all about the owner and their third cousin twice removed!! We learned that when we went shopping together, we actually didn't "stay together". Rather I would move on and then once I had gone down about 5 rows of booths, I would meet her at the end of the first row and we would check in with each other. And don't even get me started about shopping when there were BOOKS to be browsed through. Moses parted the red sea and the Israelites passed through faster than Claudia shopped. I always made fun of her with all her "ohhhhs and ahhhhhs". And if course that would make her laugh.
I'm going to miss those shopping trips. But now, our roles are reversed. She's now waiting for me at the end of my life's aisle. And I will be so happy to see her again.
It's never easy losing someone you love. We always take it for granted that they'll always be there when we call or want to come visit. But tomorrow isn't guaranteed. Take the time today: call you mom or dad, or that friend you haven't talk to in a while. Send a cute card to someone saying you're thinking of them.
Finally, I have to say that I am not sad for Claudia. I'm sad for me because she's no longer here for me to reach out to. But saying that , I know Claudia is in the place she lived her entire life to be in.... Heaven, with God. I'm sad for those that have been left behind...her beloved Gary, her children Will and Laura, her grandchildren Skylar, Brownwyn and Evan. And all those whose lives she touched during her life, and there are many. But I believe, as Claudia believed, this is only temporary. We will all be together again with we too are called home by God. Knowing this gives me peace and comfort.
Claudia, my dear friend, I will miss and love you, until we meet again.
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