Saying Goodbye to a Dear Friend

Today was Laurie's Funeral. It was a very hard day today for myself and a number of my close friends. As I mentioned in my previous post, Laurie passed away Monday night after a long valiant fight with cancer. Approximately a year and a half ago, she was given six months to live, and she lived much longer than that. Her strong spirit and determination to live her life to the fullest was probably the main reason she lived longer than first expected.

The weather today once again matched our mood, just like Monday night/Tuesday, it was pouring rain. It was like mother earth was mourning the loss of Laurie as well. The funeral home was packed today, there wasn't a dry eye in the house. It was a beautiful tribute to a beautiful woman. Laurie saw good in everybody, she was loved by everybody who met her. Throughout her entire illness she never complained, she would always tell concerned friends and family that she was fine, not to worry about her, one common phrase from her was "I am good with this." And she always had a hug and a smile for you no matter what. Even though she was the one battling a deadly illness, she was the one who made you feel better. She was one of those people who literally lit up the room when she entered.

Earlier this week, I was doing some clean up in my craft room and came across this poem to be used as the opening page in a tribute album. I won it in the auction at the Scrapping Turtle back in January and never really paid much attention to it. This week it really resonated with me. Here are some excerpts from this poem.

In Loving Memory

Yours was no ordinary life,

But a life well lived and well loved.

You memory offers comfort with the enduring love we will keep alive in our hearts.

We will remember the happiest moments filled with joy,

And find solace in the many ways you have touched so many lives.

As a butterfly lights beside you like a ray of sunshine, for a brief moment,

It's beauty and glory belong to our world...but then it flies again,

And though we wish it could have stayed a little longer

We are blessed to have seen it.

In every heart you touched, in every life you changed,

In every thought you inspired, your love lives on.

Your voice still echoes, your life still inspires,

You light still shines......and always will.

I am blessed to have been a part of your life.

By Patsy Elaine Gaut

Rest in peace my beautiful friend Laurie. Though you are gone, I know you are never far away.