Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Some sad news

(Retro blogging)
Yes, I know.  I passed.  Everything is supposed to be easy now right?
Nope. 
On the day I drove to drop off my final (at the time) copy of my paper to the graduate school, I got a text message that a friend had passed away.
I think I mentioned Donna in my blog before.  As a matter of fact, click here
Donna was diagnosed with Ovarian Cancer nearly 10 years ago and at that time was given a year to live.  She had two small children at the time, 7 and 10.  Her goal was always to stick around to see them grow into young men and create memories along the way.
A photo slide show was part of her service and in photo after photo after photo we saw Donna with her friends and family with her ever present smile. 
I know not everything in life is about me, but this is my blog, so I will tell you what I am thinking.  How often do I shy away from the camera?  How often am I grumpy and distracted by things that I need to do and don't live in the moment. 
I need to be more in the moment.  I need to make more memories. I need to smile more.
Donna did these things.
Drew and Hunter are sweet boys and will grow into men who had this strong, smiling brave woman as their mother.  That is going to leave a mark.
So hug your kids, make memories and smile.


10 comments:

Lucky Bean , said...

oh thats sooo very sad..Im so sorry for the loss of your friend, and the loss her family must be feeling right now...

Julie & Steve said...

I'm sorry.

Marianne Librarian said...

Me too.

I felt guilty as well. I have neglected all of my friends the past 6 months or longer, and hadn't seen Donna since before Christmas.

It seems that there were complications and she was uncomfortable with the solutions (colostomy bags, etc) and didn't want to see people the last few months, but still.

Ian Evans said...

Sorry for your loss, Marianne

Iva me said...

Congrats for passing the class :)

many of us need to smile more...
sorry for the loss of your friend..

Ken Lewis said...

I am sorry abut your friend but this is a good blog and a good reminder.

Barbara Corfield said...

So sad when a person is this way.. and wonder why it had to be them that went away.. But they were on Earth to make you smile,, and so that is what its all about.. She raised her young boys to have smiles on their faces. and Taught you to do the same.. God Bless Her....

doug noakes said...

Sorry for your loss, Marianne. It's so easy to take what we all consider "normal" for granted.

Marianne Librarian said...

Truer words....

River Girl said...

So sorry to hear this.
But it sounds like your friend left behind a wonderful legacy.