Saying good-bye is never easy ...

[phr1$k37]

... but to know my friend is now in a better place I am very happy.
Last Friday was Janice's brithday. It was also Linda's funeral.

Linda battled cancer for 8 years. She was a sure fighter. Although the doctors told her she had just 1 year to go when first diagnoised she fought with her strength, peace from God and support from friends. I wont go in detail of the cancer but boy ... Friday was a tough day. The day took a good 6 hours of our time preparing and gathering. She had reached out to many friends, co-workers and even her own family through her battle. She made goals all the time like "I am not going to die till I see my nephew born" ... she did. "I am not going to die until I see ..." the list went on and she would accomplish them all. Watching her fight the cancer was amazing. As I type I remember all the times she would struggle. "I had a bad day" ... nothing I have gone through in my life gives me the right to say "I understand" because I dont. Being on painkillers, radiation, chemo and battling self-image (weight gaining and losing for a very pretty young lady is hard I bet) ... what a battler.

It is hard not to cry ... but I thank the LORD He has finally taken her home. Her health took a nose dive within a matter of 1 week. Another week before her death she struggled to remember some of us but she would smile and saying something that affirmed she remembered us individually. A few days before her death she fought no more...

She asked a friend of ours to feel her foot in which she boldly stuck out under the bedsheet. He felt her foot. It was squishy and water like. She said feel my knee now. He did ... same thing. She said "Isnt it weird?" yes ... "I cant feel you touching me ... I am dying".

She lived a life to show us never to give up. Even on her death bed she showed us not to fear.

To my friends here on ASV, dont take life for granted.
Take the time to tell loved ones you love them.
Get in fights ... it is healthy but never hold a grudge and seek for a resolution.
Life can be long so dont make it short with senseless things.

Thanks for reading,
I had to share somewhere.
A lot of is going on around me ... I guess it is price I pay for the things I get myself involved in.

[crash]

thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family

thank you for posting

[kings-x59]

You have my deepest sympathies and condolences. She was obviously very brave.
Good advice amigo. I think I'll take a moment to smell the roses today.

[Rebel]

Take the time to tell loved ones you love them.

thoughts and prayers are with you all.

[CaptSquid]

For once, words fail me.

My deepest sympathies for the loss of such a courageous friend.

[Smiliesafari]

I'm glad you were brave enough to be there for her. No words can express how much she appreciated that. [-o<

[phr1$k37]

I use to be on this board a lot. I try as hard as I can to pop in here. In fact I barely post on others boards, not even my photography ones. This IS the only board I post to as often as I can because there is a community of family here that I love. The last 1 1/2 years I have not been so active posting here because I have been quite busy with "life" just as you all are. It is sad to see so many people I know begin to see death. I am not even age 30 yet >.<
I think in the last 3 months I have posted 4 different accounts of sharing. I thank you all for your willingness to read and sympathize.

Life is valuable - I hope we all do our best to treasure every moment
For those of you praying for Uncle Sam, we have now moved on mentally to accept quality of life over quantity of life; his time is due.
For those of you praying for Auntie Brenda, she is still in the hospital but MUCH better now where her friends visit her everyday. She is still quite frustrated about the accident also because of the paperwork that needs to be done with insurance (we all know the insurance companies dont make it super easy some times).
My own uncle, he is doing better now, happy and not depressed.

The list goes on but I think those are the other 3 I have shared about.
Thanks everyone.

[1Gary]

All I can possibly say is how sorry I am about your lost.We will have a good thought before bedtime for you and yours.

[T.Low]

Oh, geez, thats tuff stuff, Abe, really tuff stuff. Cancer will touch all of our lives one way or another, if it hasn't already. Its the devil alright, and it doesn't discriminate. It takes the good, the bad, the beautiful and the ugly.

There is no doubt in my mind that she was very grateful to have a friend like you up until the end. Bless you, Abe, and Godspeed to Linda.

Prayers.

[mdmead]

I'm sorry for your loss. My condolences to your friends & family.

[SoCalli V8]

I`m sorry to hear of your loss, I also lost a beautiful woman that was in my life, due to cancer.

I can relate, and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family......