Losing Joan Rivers

I first met Joan Rivers doing a standup act in a small hideaway on Fifth Avenue in San Diego, California.  She was hilarious.  Talking about negative things and comparing them to celebrities.  It was so enjoyable to sit and listen to her talk about various people that we knew, possibly not personally but we knew of them because they were in show business.  I'm trying to remember the name of the club where she was working.  I may have it wrong in San Diego.  It might have been in Los Angeles.  It's been so long ago I'm not sure I'm accurate, but it was a small club.  Intimate, with dimmed lights and bright lights on the stage.  She was in heels and a black, simple dress. 

I followed her from that moment throughout her career and loved the red carpet gossip and the Fashion Police.  I hope there will be re-runs because I need to see her, hear her and watch her.  There is no other Joan Rivers.

I had just gotten to know Melissa in the past few years from her joining her mother on the red carpet and other shows they shot together.  I am praying daily for Melissa and Cooper's struggle through this time.

I lost my own mother in 1992 and it's still fresh.  There are so many times something great happens and the first person I think to call is my mother, but she's not there.  It takes time to adjust to this loss.  It never goes away, but it does get easier as time goes on and you tolerate the loss.

I'll be watching you Melissa and praying for you.

Linda Lee Roberts
September 9, 2014

Preparing for my own death

When you're living a good life - a job, having a home, a spouse, children, grand kids, pets - who thinks of departing from this earth.  As you grow into adulthood, and starting out, death is something that happens to old people.  I've been doing a lot of research on the elderly.  I am part of that era.  I am turning 78 in March, 2015.

I donated my body to Vanderbilt University and one of my sons told me I would be a frozen popcicle until the next semester starts.  When I contacted the school to see if I was still on the list, the intake worker said yes, but asked who my alternate was.  I didn't have an alternate.  I asked her to clarify what she meant and this is what I was told. 

There is no guarantee the university will take my body when I pass on, for reasons such as, infected with an aggressive disease, too old, very unhealthy and many more criteria.  So, they suggested I have an alternate to call. 

I got out my phone directory and called three cremation places.  I don't want to be put in the ground and I don't want my ashes in an urn in someone's house.  Just burn my ass up and toss those ashes, wherever you want.  So far, I have contacted three crematories and will see them in the next two weeks. I want this all paid for by the time I need it.  I don't want my family burdened with the costs or preparation.

So I now have Plan B.  I have my Will in my safe deposit box with all my final wishes too. 

I'm set.