I turned around and there I found a friend....
In the life of everyone there is both joy and pain. In the life of everyone there is both happiness and sadness. Then end result of every lifetime on this planet is the death of the physical body. I believe that life doesn't end here, if that were true then what would be the point of life. I have seen enough in my time to know that our life force continues on long after we are gone from this plane of existance.
When you left I lost a part of me. You were a dear friend to me and someone in my life that had come to mean a great deal. I honoured your wishes that no one see you at the end stages of your disease; but still how much I cared for you never diminished.
We knew each other slightly and then in the darkest time of my life there you were, a lifeline that could teether me in reality. In the storm of emotions that followed the sudden death of my father you were always there to comfort me ~ no questions asked and no judgements made.
As we walked the road of friendship I was allowed to see how you loved fiercely. Especially your sons ~ who were your joy and the most difficult for you to leave behind. You raised your sons to fine young men, you instilled your values into them in the time you had.
I was able to see your absolutely devotion to your family, whether you agreed with their actions or not.
Squirrely, people either liked you or they didn't ~ that was just your personality.
You had very strong, very outspoken opinions on many subjects. Things people didn't necessarily agree with you about. However, you were a very private person and people didn't always understand the reasons behind your loudly voiced opinions.
There are always those things that happen in life that shape who you become. And your walk was never an easy one. You had been through a lot in your life and still you endured and enjoyed your family and friends.
Most happy at home, you made your house a welcoming place to be, we relaxed, we drank, we cried, we laughed ~ we did a lot of talking on that back deck and around that kitchen table. We shared thoughts, hopes, dreams, past experiences and sometimes even secrets. I hope that I have come away a better person for it.
And I don't think anyone will ever be a better Detroit Red Wings fan than you. It didn't matter how well or how poor your team was doing, you were in their corner and cheering them on. I have seen you dance when they win and make excuses when they lose.
Occasionally people will come into your life and touch you so deeply that it can restore something that was lost along the way. The ways we looked at things were sometimes very different but you always had the grace to listen to my beliefs.
After you were sick the first time and then cancer free for sometime I know we all thought the worst was over ~ then you became ill again. I think everyone wanted to deny it could be cancer again; but ignoring the truth doesn't change the truth. And finally when there was nothing more that could medically be done and everyone knew it was just a matter of time, it became easy for me to remember all the good times we had.
You wanted to and managed to hang on until the boys birthday and left us holding Tim's hand, you were never alone and you were loved. And in the boys, in our memories and in your future grandchildren you will live on. Your spirit will surround those you love and keep them safe, guide them on their path until they are again reunited with you.
You restored my faith that friendship can be without betrayal and allowed me to learn how to trust again. For that I am ever grateful. There is so much I will miss about you, your smile and your laugh, your wit and your righteous anger. Oh you could be hyper sometimes Cougar ~ it was part of who you were.
Whenever someone you love leaves this life to enter the next it leaves a hole. A space you can't fill ~ you have to open your mind and your heart to give their spirit room to heal that hole and allow you to know that they haven't now nor will they ever really leave you. You were a dear, kind, funny and loving friend Shirley and until we meet again I will hold my memories of you dear.
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