A dear friend just died in Mexico

[3kids4me Super Moderator and Super Mom Find all posts View Profile Close 3kids4me]

Carol,

I am so very sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. It is so horrible when a life is cut short. But it's also wonderful that your friend's life left such a wonderful, positive impression on you and others. That's the best kind of life to have.

My condolences.

Sharon

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

Thanks everyone. I so much appreciate all of you expressing such kind words. It really helps.

Have a good weekend, all of ya!

[jackio Gold Contributor Find all posts View Profile Close jackio]

Carol, I am so sorry for your loss. I hope you are finding comfort in your memories.

[Carol C Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Carol C]

Katmandu,

I too believe there are no coincidences. I think there was a reason I wasn't on that shopping trip. Somebody's watching over me, even though I've been "tested" with two hospitalizations since Oct '05. Anyway, I'll PM you as to what I think may be cause of Pati's death. I'm no doctor and so I don't want to speculate in a public forum such as this.

For everyone else, I do feel great about publicly sharing this poem written and recited at Pati's memorial service in Mazatlan this past Friday. It touched me to the core, and I shed a few tears when I read it. Thank you all for caring about me and about my good friend whom you never had the pleasure of meeting. You'd have liked Pati...she was (and is) special.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A TRIBUTE TO PATI OCONNOR

Mazatlan wept today.
She lost her new, beloved daughter
Who's life's essence dimmed
And went out.
Mazatlan was grief-stricken today.
Glorious morning sunshine paled
Into a gloomy afternoon after glow.
Mazatlan was angry today,
Sending crashing waves against the
Slippery blackened rocks,
Mourning the loss of her daughter Pati.
Then, Mazatlan rejoiced today.
Pati's spiritual presence was everywhere
And sunshine appeared as she smiled.
Mazatlan looked up at the Heavens today
And in the clear blue sky
A glorious rainbow appeared, and
There was Pati, enfolded in golden light,
Smiling down on those she loved
And had left behind.
Mazatlan laughed today,
Displaying a spectacular sunset, in joy.
Her daughter Pati had not left after all.
Pati's spirit will always ride the waves,
Appear in every sunrise and sunset,
Forever a part of the Mazatlan she loved so much.
And in the knowledge of Pati's presence,
Mazatlan is content today ...

(By Alison Cunningham)

[hope54 Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close hope54]

Carol, that was a beautiful poem! Grief is profound for the the leaving of someone we love and yet there is hope that she is not "far" from us. The reminders that come from nature give me the hope to keep moving forward in grief. When I spend time watching the surf, seeing its mysterious and magnificant power, I am at peace with my losses, knowing there is a greater scheme to our lives than we are aware of.

Hugs to you. You must have filled Pati's life with good things over the years.

Hope