There she goes...making the next part of the journey without us.
Without those she loved and those who loved her. But that's how it is when it is our time to sprout our wings and fly with the angels. We walk the line, we follow the road and when the conditions are "just right", the air lifts our newly blossomed wings and we soar higher, higher and higher.
In May 2005 there were 3 of us diagnosed with breast cancer, all within weeks of one another. The other two women didn't know each other, but I knew each of them. Three different kinds of breast cancer, three different diagnoses and three different treatments. Breast cancer is like that. It's as individual as we are. We carried on and we got back to the business of living our lives, because that's what you do after treatment is over. You carry on. You put it behind you but you know it's always there, lurking in the shadows...it might step out again, it might not. Allowing the fear of that possibility to consume you robs you of so much of the joy and beauty of life and cripples you from moving forward. The fear allows cancer to have too much power, power which is does not deserve. If it returns, as it did for one of us, you dig in, you do what is necessary and you make your peace with whatever the outcome will be. It's all you can do. And I know this. The lessons I have learned from Pat's experience are gifts that she left, not just for me, but for others.
On Tuesday morning a very lovely woman by the name of Pat sprouted those wings and made her way to the final destination of her journey here on earth. I like to think that she's with those she has loved who have gone before her and she's taken her wit, her laughter and her generous heart with her. I see loving arms that were waiting for her to embrace her once again and offer comfort from the pain that her returned cancer brought into her life. This wonderful woman is now beyond pain, worry and care. Her spirit will always remain.
Those who are left behind to mourn...can take heart in the knowledge that life is about who we are in the "now", what we do, what we share, what we give. It is about appreciating the beauty and the joy. We will never understand the cruelty of cancer so isn't it better to focus on and dwell on the blessings? Pat had many blessings in her life and she was a blessing to so many. I'll think about that as I blow wishes of love and safe journey up towards the sky.
What a heartfelt tribute for your friend, I am hugging you from afar and sending prayers your way.
ReplyDeleteReminding us to live and to be in the moment. My condolences to you Sherry and to her family xo
Such a beautiful piece of writing. I love how you've expressed yourself and written so warmly and touchingly about your friend. I'm so sorry for your loss. Thank you for the reminder to focus on the beauty, the joy and the blessings.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful tribute Sherry! I am so sorry for your loss. Sending hugs.
ReplyDeleteThank you also for the beautiful Christmas card. It was a nice surprise!
What a lovely post and an equally as lovely image to go with it. I cried as I read your words. This reminded me to not let the fear of the possibility of (you know what) rob me of any more time and continue to cripple me. It is my struggle. Such a waste of precious time.
ReplyDeleteSo sorry for your loss.
You gave your friend an amazingly beautiful send off to a better place . . .
xoxo
Sending you love and comfort, Sherry. There are no words. I will sit with my tea and imagine you here where we could just hold hands for a while.
ReplyDeleteSending prayers for Pat's free spirit and sending big, squishy hugs on your tender, hurting spots.
ReplyDeleteI love you, Beautiful.
Oh Sherry what a beautifully written tribute to a friend, so sad, so very very sad, life can be so cruel, and as we know it always picks the good ones to single out for special attention. Sending hugs and all good wishes from here, and hoping you are right that Pat is now as free as a bird and close with those she has loved. Keep your chin up during this awful time, the tears will flow, but in the end that is a good thing.
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful tribute to your friend, Sherry! I am so sorry for your loss and that of her family too. You are absolutely right about not giving the power over to cancer, but to live each day with love and gratitude. I strive to do that in my daily life and I thank you so much for your inspiring words! Hugs and love to you, sweet friend. xxoo
ReplyDeleteA lovely tribute to your friend. I am so sorry for your loss. I HATE cancer. Hate it. But I have lost enough people I love to cancer to know that you are absolutely right that we are better off to focus on the blessings instead. Peace to all who loved her. She sounds like a true gem.
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