It's been a week since a good friend had died

[Taverner]

She had bone cancer - breast cancer that had moved to her hips, and then invaded her bones.

She was 39. I'm not sure if I posted here about her. 39 is way too fucking young.

A lot of death has happened around me in the past year or so. First my favorite Aunt Karen, then my Grandma. Then my Uncle basically became 'dead to us' for embezzling so much money from Grandma. Our dog died too - it feels silly adding him to the list, but it was as sad as the previous deaths.

Then this happens to a friend of mine. They weren't able to eliminate the cancer, but they thought she could have a good 20-30 years with it lingering in the background. Her odds were good. This was after the double masectomy and endless chemo.

Then this happened. I went to a party of hers to pay farewell to her. She was unable to move much - but she could smile and talk. I gave her a big hug before I left. I could feel her fear and sorrow in that hug - it took a lot of her strength to give it. She hugged as tight as she could - for as long as she could.

At her funeral, I didn't cry. It was always in the background - a sorrow left unattended.

Then thing song came on the radio while I was driving back from the store:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGEMx3TKxNc

Sufjan Steven's Casimir Pulaski Day

I had to pull over and cry like I've never cried in my life.

[GreenPartyVoter]

1. *hugs* I am so sorry. Sometimes it just hits you. Not long ago it ocurred to me that

my boys would never hear about what the 60s were like from my parents. I was (and am) so sad that they were robbed of that wealth of wisdom my parents possessed. :cry:

[Taverner]

2. My grandma, and her kids experienced World War II

They lived in Japan right after the war...

And my kids will never be able to learn from them

[Swede]

3. "Tears are words the heart cannot express"

Sorry for your loss.

[mnhtnbb]

4. Damn. Too much loss. I am sorry you've been hit so hard.

:hug:

[lightningandsnow]

5. I'm so sorry for your loss.

Damn. There are no words.

:hug:

[ccharles000]

6. ...

:hug:

[foxfeet]

7. I'm sorry for your pain and for all those you've lost.

I wish you peace, comfort and healing. :hug:

[Iggo]

8. God dammit.

It ain't right, dude. :hug:

[abq e streeter]

9. My deepest sympathies, and prayers for her and all who loved her.

My mom died of breast cancer at 48 ( I was 17). I held it in and didn't cry until years later. Not a healthy thing to do... I'm glad you let it out. Peace to you, and to her beautiful soul.

[toadzilla]

10. so sorry.. it's an evil disease. I just lost a friend who was only 29 a few weeks ago.

and never feel silly about mourning your dog. I was more upset when my 17 year old cat died than I have been about any humans I've known passing. She had cancer too.