Celebration of Life

The title – Celebration of Life – seems an appropriate description for today. Today the calendar is chock-full of past, present and future.

May 8, 1967 - the day I was born.

May 8, 2008 - the day my sweet mother in law passed.

May 8, 2012  - sadly, the day we will memorialize our friend Kim. Although her death was untimely and more painful than comprehensible, I hope today we share stories of the love and joy she gave freely while she was here among us.

If nothing else, I begin this 8th day of May feeling a bittersweet mix of emotions.

I am grateful that I enter my solid “mid-forties” of sound body, mind and spirit (for the most part anyway).

I am fortunate that I share this day in a significant way with my kind, funny and light-hearted mother in law. I was so blessed to have her in my life. And she leaves behind nothing but wonderful and joyous memories to those who knew her and loved her.

Lastly, I am meloncholy that I am forced to say a final goodbye to a woman who left us much too soon in much too tragic a manner.

If nothing else, mixed among the haphazard emotions, I am comforted to share this day with two strong, powerful, loving, and spirited women.

To my dear mother in law and my sweet friend – I devote this day to you. I pledge to live fully and whole-heartedly in your honor and memory.

In today’s celebration of life, I am proud to share this day – May 8, 2012 – with you.