I had to say goodbye to a dear friend

July 31st my husband and I drove to Cleveland to say goodbye to a dear friend. Not the way you say goodbye when someone is going on a trip or away to school or even moving to the other side of the world. No, we had to say goodbye to a friend who was dying.

Hilary was diagnosed the same week I was and all of our surgeries were within days of each other....THEN we met. We became very close friends and even went on a few extended weekend vacations together. We went in to help them celebrate their 10 year anniversary and renewing of their vows. I even helped her write them.

Now, I had to say goodbye. How do you do that? How can you look someone in the eye and know that you will never see them this side of Heaven again. What do you say?

I told my friend that I loved her, that I will miss her, that I felt so blessed to have had her as my friend and then I kissed her cheek as the tears flowed down mine and said goodbye.........

3 days later, less than 24 hours after her son's adoption proceedings were finalized by her husband, she passed peacefully away. You see, she had made a list the year before of 5 things she wanted to do before she would let this beast take her body. She had wanted to go to Aruba with her husband- DONE, Florida with her kids- DONE, celebrate her 10 year anniversary- DONE, hold a silent auction to raise money for The Gathering Place in Cleveland- DONE, and have her son's adoption process be finalized........done........

What an amazing women she was! What an amazing mother, wife and friend! I feel I am a better person because of her and will miss her everyday of my life.