Waitress Torture

Last night as I sat waiting for a drink refill at a local restaurant, I was reminded of a story Rebekah told me....

She was out with some friends (I don't remember who or if it was a school field trip or what), but their waitress was so concerned that one of them might need something (drinks in particular) that she was at their table every two minutes. Apparently this was getting a little annoying, so Rebekah and her friends conspired together. After the next time the waitress came by, they all grabbed their drink cups and hid them and drank every drop that was in there. When the waitress came by again she was frantic because all of their drinks were empty. (I guess the waitress was really worried about doing good, but Bekah and her friends thought their prank was hilarious....as it was).

Rebekah used to tell this story probably a couple times a year, it was something that really stuck in her memory, and so, got stuck in mine as well. (If anyone reading this was in that group and has more to offer the story, please let me know or post a comment.)

Remembering...

Recently I added a new piece of art to my body in memory of Rebekah. I got a tattoo of her likeness in the form of an angel on my shoulder. (I will post pics later). Rebekah's last days made me realize that there are some things that I need to do for me...because it's what I want, and not because someone thinks I should or shouldn't.

Some people would say that Rebekah spent her whole life that way, but I know she still worried sometimes about the way things looked or what people thought of her. For example, she wanted a tattoo for the longest time, but never got one...and only when she found out she had cancer did she tell me "When I'm done with all this cancer crap, I am going to get my tattoo."

Even now she gives me courage and determination when I feel like giving up on something, or when I am going through a rough patch. I like to believe that she can see me and know how much I love her and miss her every single day. When I want someone to talk to, she is the first person I think about calling, and wish that I could talk to her. The angel on my shoulder reminds me that she is watching over me, just like she did in life.

This is the first time I have posted about my tattoo on a forum where "people who disapprove" of such things might read it. But I also remember something else Rebekah once told me about how people can judge each other all they want, but all it really come's down to in the end is God's judgement of your life and how you live it.

I haven't posted in some time on here, but I want to try to post something atleast weekly here. I don't go a day without thinking about her, so I want to share those memories with her family and friends. I also still want input from all of you. Please send me your pictures or stories and memories of Rebekah to help all of us remember.

Rebekah loved making things

Today I ran across a blanket I had put away that Rebekah had made for me. She loved using her talents to make things for other people. She crocheted this particular blanket for me from patterned blue yarn, and also crocheted a purple and green blanket for Alyson. She also made a scarf and poncho for Alyson, and a purse for me. She made up her own patterns when she had to just to make something nice for someone else. I believe she got alot of joy in life from making and doing things for others.

I remember a quilt she made for Alyson and she was so afraid that I wouldn't like it because it wasn't "perfect." The stitching was a little crooked when she tried to quilt it together, but I loved it! It was my favorite blanket to lay on the floor for Aly to crawl or roll around on when she was really little. There is nothing that could make me give up that blanket! It was and is perfect to me because my sister made it for me and my baby. I will remember her desire to please me every time I look at that blanket.

e-mail from Danielle - Dani Gee

Rebekah was one of my best friends when I lived in Murray. I used to basically live with her in tenth grade. I stayed with her Friday through Sunday so I could get a ride to church with her, and then on Wednesday nights for the same reason since my parents didn't go and weren't keen on always having to give me rides.

I remember when we chose random words that sounded like the beginnings of our names and they became nicknames. She was Ribbs and Charity was Chat.

I remember thinking we were cool and edgy because we would hang out in cemetaries after dark haha

I remember Charity driving the van to pick everyone up for church for awhile and Bekah and I were dating David and Nic. They insisted on wearing their long trenchcoats to youth group and we all looked like a bunch of hoodlums, but it was fun.

I remember oogling over all the musician boys with her.

Rebekah was always a fascinating girl, and I'm sorry we lost touch. We connected again over myspace, but it was brief. You never know who you're going to lose for good, so cherish the friends you have for as long as you have them.

Sharing a bed

When Rebekah and I were little, we shared a bed at mom's house. We slept together in a full sized bed. Sometimes we would stay up late talking, and mom would have to tell us to go to sleep. We would snuggle together for warmth if we were cold, and it seemed like every night she would steal my covers, or kick me in her sleep.

For awhile, we also shared bunk beds. I remember whoever was on bottom that night would kick between the slats of the top bunk to see if we could get a reaction from the one on top. It's not very comfortable to have someone's toe in your back, even if it is through a mattress.

More recently, when Rebekah was in the hospital, I remember telling her several times that I wanted to climb in her bed with her and snuggle. I told her I just wanted to hold her and make everything all right. She would always squeeze my hand so hard wishing I could just climb in bed with her.

Laying in bed tonight trying to sleep, I started to remember these things, and just had to get up and post about it. I miss her so much, and hope everyone will help me keep her memory alive with this website.

Childhood

Rebekah has been in my life as far back as I can remember. I never thought there would come a day when I would have to say goodbye to her forever. She was such a strong person, even when she got cancer, she was always confident that she would beat it. She loved to do things for others and almost always had a smile or joke to brighten your day. There is a void in all of our lives that no one will ever be able to completely fill.

Here are some pictures I ran across recently from our childhood.

Mom with me (Charity) and Rebekah

Charity & Rebekah Christmas 1984

Charity, John & Rebekah

Rebekah, John & Charity

I can't think of any specific memory to share right now, but hopefully can think of something good in the next few days. In the meantime, hope you will all share something with us.

Purpose of this Blog

If you are reading this, someone has invited you to this website for sharing memories of Rebekah. As her sister, I will be monitoring and updating this blog in her memory. If anyone has a special story, memory, or picture of Rebekah that they would like to share on this blog, please e-mail it to me at charitypaschall@yahoo.com. She will always be missed, but can live on through the memories of those who loved her.