We never know the impact we
have on our world until we are gone.
It was a magical
afternoon. In fact, it was the day of
her birthday celebration. She would have
been 51. The room was filled with familiar faces from the community where she
worked to the bright young women (and their families) with whom her daughters
played sport. People of all ages and
from all stages of her life were gathered, some seated while many were standing, overflowing into the hall. They were all
people she touched during her precious years with us. Her husband sat in the front gazing out the
window (wiping the odd tear) beside his two beautiful girls who remained stoic.
The setting was beautiful
looking out onto the golf course. A little bit of fog and then during the
speeches a little wet Vancouver rain.
The room was overflowing with abundant love.
I sat beside my
daughter. I wished my husband and son
were with us. You see, this woman not
only touched the lives of those in the room, but many that couldn’t
attend. Her girls are friends with our
two university kids and my husband and I had the honour of cheering from the
sidelines at many sporting events in our community alongside this beautiful
woman. I only regret not speaking with
her more. Often we get caught up in our
own lives, we forget to take the time to be present in our own world.
She was only 50 when she left
us and we will never understand why but we know she left the world a better
place and touched the lives of many. Her
immediate friends (soul sisters) were all there and you could tell they too
were broken with the loss, but now gain strength by holding onto the memories
and good times they shared. The stories
they told were precious and joked that most of the themes spoken were
about drinking wine and dog walking together. We will never know the impact of this loss on
the family dog as well.
A slide show to Stevie
Wonder’s Isn’t She Lovely shared with
us her wonderful life and adventures travelling. The pictures told the stories
and the smiles drew us into the warmth of those experiences. There were many smiles of she and her family
and friends and I could feel her joy. She was a beautiful woman with a
beautiful family.
My heart broke (and my tears
ran down my face) when her daughter spoke with such grace and pride, yet I
gained strength as I listened to her thank her Mom for all that she had
provided to she and her sister. She
spoke about appreciation for giving them endless opportunity in their sport,
the numerous times she supported as a cheerleader from the sidelines, or
driving to practice. She described those
deep conversations (the kind we can only have with our children) and the impact they had
on her personal growth. She described the tears they shared in both
good times and sad. She thanked her for
helping build she and her sister into the strong women they have become
today. She promised to her Mom that she
would be strong without her at her side during her university graduation,
wedding and other milestones in her life.
Without hesitation, she said her strength today and as goes on with her
life, is because she knows her "Mommy" will always be with her in spirit.
Her smile now shines through
the two beautiful girls she has left behind.
Her impact from today will
empower many to live life and love with all that you can.
No Regrets.
No Regrets.
