Gratitude

A sweet friend of mine lost her three-year battle with cancer today. She was 31. Her children are 6, 4, and 2. I miss her, but she has taught me so much. Why is it that our friends and loved ones who pass away end up teaching us so much? Why can't we learn the same lessons without the tragedy of death? My friend was in a lot of pain and struggled so much physically during these past few months. It is truly a blessing she has been relieved of the burden her body was to her, but now it feels so hard to have her gone. And I am only just her friend -- not her husband, or her child, or her sibling. I want to remember this empty, sad grief, however, so I can remember to be grateful for the life I have. In the most mundane times, I want to remember to be grateful I am present and able to experience all the peaks and valleys of life, in honor of a life cut short. I am grateful for each blessing in my life and hope to be forever touched by the life of my friend.