Funeral for a friend

I just returned from my friend, Rebecca's funeral. Well, they called it a memorial...either way, it was the most I have cried in a long long time. The picture above was on her 46th birthday just a few months ago...She had received chemo that whole week, but was smiling and OH so cheerful as we had breakfast together that day at Montage. Two years ago, she had been given 6 months to live. She cheated cancer for a bit, but today, it was the packed church of people who knew we had all been cheated.
Rebecca was happy all the time. ALL the time. And she made everyone around her happy. We all knew that she had issues--even pre-cancer days--but Rebecca smiled through life and fought her battles with dignity and a sense of humor. She was soft spoken and full of kindness. Seriously, she was one of the nicest people I have ever known. Rebecca also went to college while she was raising kids...just like I did. She received her bachelor's degree in just 10 years! (Mine took 17...) She had passion for living and loving life.
Today, I watched Rebecca's mother cry for her lost daughter. I sobbed while I watched Rebecca's son comfort his crying sister. I lost it when her son read a letter that Rebbeca had written to be read at this memorial. She thanked all of US for being there for her and for loving her and for letting her love us! I KNOW there was not a dry eye in the place...this hit all of us deeply.
On the way home I wondered...who will be at my memorial service? Who will speak? What will they say? I thought how lucky Rebecca was, in a way, because she prepared a bit and was able to say goodbye and tell people she loved them. I thought of those killed in the bridge collapse this last week in Minnesota. I hope they knew they were loved and I hope they had told others that THEY were loved. And I really hope they were loving and living their lives...
Love and live YOUR life.
And, if you are reading this, chances are--I love you. And I thank you for being part of my life.