This week I lost a friend to cancer. Cancer really does suck and I'm tired of it. I'm tired of seeing the pain it puts people through and all the suffering that surrounds it.
Anyway, Norma was a fun gal I worked with at the library and she dubbed herself my second mother because she always had to remind me to do things like take my medicine, tie my shoes, get enough rest and eat healthier. She battled cancer for 4 or 5 years, I think and this week she succumbed.
You know when you are really thinking about someone - that person is just constantly on your mind and you keep telling yourself to call that person? I feel really guilty that I kept putting that off. She was really on my mind last week and I kept saying I would call her later and then never did. Sigh. I'll have to live with that now.
Yesterday I went to her rosary service which was really nice. Her children and husband were there and a lot of family and friends. The service was different for me - Byzantine Catholic, I think. Partly in English and partly in Arabic. There were cantors. The music was so....soulful. It sounded both very old and very new. The priest started out with a line from a song about a heart beating for the love of another. Then he talked about the love Norma and her husband shared and how that love expanded and created their beautiful children. The service ended with the priest asking us to remember the power of love and to respect and honor it and to realize the enduring aspects of loving someone fully and completely. He then asked us to pray for the family. It was very touching.
So, in honor of Norma and in honor of love, here's this Friday's five from Etsy:
Sorry to hear about Norma :(
Posted by: Crissy Po | 10 July 2007 at 05:46 PM
I'm so sorry for your loss. I'm sure Norma knew how much you cared about her, regardless. Try not to let the regret get the best of you.
PS: Thank you so much for your sweet comment and for the good thoughts and positive energy you're sending my way. I really appreciate it!
Posted by: Nonnahs | 09 July 2007 at 05:07 PM
It sounds like a wonderful service. I won't tell you not to feel bad about not calling her, I'll just leave it that those regrets are perhaps part of life (and loss) and gentle reminders not to delay joy, or duty, or expressions of love. I'll give you a hug when I see you next. Provided it's not too hot. I don't touch people when it is too hot. ;p
Posted by: Wendy | 06 July 2007 at 10:07 AM