Last night my phone rang at 10:30pm. The caller display said PRIVATE. I thought it would be my husbands family calling from Wales to say hello. How wrong I was. I answered the phone and there was a delay...I said "hello", and I immediately knew something was not right. On the other end of the line was one of my best and dearest friends, Chris who now lives in London. Her voice was soft and quiet, not her usual happy and soulful self. I asked if everything was OK at which her voice shattered into sobs and all I could make out was the word "Vicky".
I didn't understand at first, and then she went on to tell me of how one of our most wonderful and beautiful friends was no longer with us. At this stage they speculate that it was an aneurysm that claimed her life. Another important woman to me, snatched by that horrible little
clot. For the first time in a while I was truly speechless. I feel like I've been winded, like someone has punched me in the stomach. I still can't comprehend it really. I just can't understand why the universe keeps taking people from me. I feel like I am losing someone I love every year, and I feel helpless.
I came to know
this beautiful human being through my friend Chris. She had known Vicky
for a while as they had met in Canada and had worked and travelled
together. When I was living in the UK Chris emailed both Vicky and
myself, as Vicky was living there too. Chris stated that we were two of
her favourite girls and that we should meet up because we would get
along like a house on fire. She was right. We connected immediately, but
that wasn't hard. Vicky was one of those people who just got along with
everyone. Each person she met loved her. So we became good friends, and
every time she visited Sydney she knew she had a place to stay with us.
Vicky was one of the most vivacious and larger than life women I have ever known. When she laughed she would throw her head back and her mouth would drop open. She was amazing and loved to have fun. She always had a hilarious story to share. Right now I keep remembering when Chris came to visit us in the UK. Vicky was really sick with some nasty chest infection, which she passed on to Chris, who then passed it on to me. Chris and I called Vicky from my place to thank her for sharing her germs with us, and whenever we all laughed we would burst out into fits of coughing and wheezing. We were a sight for sore eyes.
The last time I spoke to Vicky was about blogging. She was starting her own blog and wanted some tips from me on sites and other bits and bobs. The last time I saw her was in February when she was visiting. Chris, Vicky, Me and Molly had a drink and bite to eat at The Courthouse in Newtown. I had just been reading her status updates yesterday, loving her optimism that Australia would win the Rugby World Cup.
At the moment, I would give anything just to see her laugh again. I wish that I could be with Chris, so I could hug her and cry with her. I am so grateful that Chris introduced us and that I got a chance to share a friendship with Vicky. All I can think of is Vicky's family. My heart goes out to them in this awfully tragic time.
Vicky, my lovely and amazing friend. May you rest in peace wherever that may be, and may your star shine brightly for us all to see. The world will not be the same without you gorgeous.
Vicky Babbage
5th April 1979 - 11th September 2011
Aged 32
Love you Vicky. We miss you already.
x
