Saying Goodbye

tootsie1
tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
in Colorectal Cancer #1
Yesterday was the funeral for my Relay For Life friend. Oh, my goodness. I cried so much. The love and tenderness from her family was so touching. Her 2 sons spoke, and it was obvious (as we already knew) that Gail had been the center of her family and doted on the boys, her husband, and really all her extended family.

One son talked about his very close relationship with his mom and about a song that meant so much to the two of them. It's called "Goodnight, My Angel," by Billy Joel. So tender and loving, and I just lost it. When they took her casket out, a bagpiper played "Amazing Grace." Buckets of tears.

My eyes are literally still swollen and red looking, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I sat with the other Relay For Life committee members, and we all wore our committee shirts. It was seriously a very hard day...

Comments

  • emrose
    emrose Member Posts: 136
    #2
    Goodbye
    Oh Gail, I'm so sorry. It's not fair, and sometimes just not even something one can clearly comprehend. Devastating really. But I'm glad you could be there to support her family and say goodbye to your dear friend.
  • Nana b
    Nana b Member Posts: 3,030 Member
    #3
    emrose said:

    Goodbye
    Oh Gail, I'm so sorry. It's not fair, and sometimes just not even something one can clearly comprehend. Devastating really. But I'm glad you could be there to support her family and say goodbye to your dear friend.

    So Sorry for thew loss of
    So Sorry for thew loss of your friend and your pain. Times like this, I go over my funeral, watch it from afar. My girls...hmmm. I want them to have a party and celebrate my life, cause I will be there in spirit too!
  • herdizziness
    herdizziness Member Posts: 3,624 Member
    #4
    Gail
    Last night I attended our Relay for Life and my eyes filled with tears at the massive amounts of remembrance candle lighting the track. I listened to a woman sing a sad song and my emotion was great at the loss of our friends and families to this thing called cancer.
    I am so sorry for your loss dear, for you having to say goodbye. I wish I had great words of comfort to give Gail, I can only say that you loved your friend and loved her well and that's the best you can do in life and the most that anyone would ask of you.
    Dry your tears my dear and smile for her time on earth and the peace she feels now. And if you need to talk to her do so, I'm pretty sure she's listening. I've felt great sorrow at my mother's death, and many tears have followed, but I find great peace in talking to her, and I feel her watching over me, may you find the same thing with your friend.
    Love to you and hugs to you as well Gail.
    Winter Marie
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #5
    Nana b said:

    So Sorry for thew loss of
    So Sorry for thew loss of your friend and your pain. Times like this, I go over my funeral, watch it from afar. My girls...hmmm. I want them to have a party and celebrate my life, cause I will be there in spirit too!

    Party
    They did have a party afterward at their house, and that was very nice.

    *Hugs*
    Gail
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #6
    I've sadly become an expert....
    I've had to say goodbye to so many....sigh...

    But I comfort myself by saying my fav phrase...

    She has not gone, simply moved, from in front of your eyes, into your heart, where she will live on forever, safe and protected...

    Hugs, Kathi
  • KathiM
    KathiM Member Posts: 8,028 Member
    #7
    Nana b said:

    So Sorry for thew loss of
    So Sorry for thew loss of your friend and your pain. Times like this, I go over my funeral, watch it from afar. My girls...hmmm. I want them to have a party and celebrate my life, cause I will be there in spirit too!

    I agree, Nana!
    I feel so strongly about this that it's part of my advanced directive!!!

    "Take my life insurance policy (the small one) and spend it on a big party. The only tears allowed are tears of laughter. Celebrate my life, don't mourn my passing! Trust me, I am on to a better place!"

    Hugs, Kathi
  • tootsie1
    tootsie1 Member Posts: 5,044 Member
    #8
    KathiM said:

    I've sadly become an expert....
    I've had to say goodbye to so many....sigh...

    But I comfort myself by saying my fav phrase...

    She has not gone, simply moved, from in front of your eyes, into your heart, where she will live on forever, safe and protected...

    Hugs, Kathi

    Thanks, everyone.
    Yeah, I'm okay now, but I'm sure the next Relay will be hard without her. I'm already planning to do some kind of necklace or pin that we can wear, so she'll be part of Relay with us. I've done some crafting with passport sleeves (clear plastic) before, and I'm thinking of scrapbooking a picture of her for each committee member and putting it in one of those.

    Thanks for the support. I'll be okay.

    *hugs*
    Gail
  • Kathleen808
    Kathleen808 Member Posts: 2,342 Member
    #9
    Gail
    Gail,
    It sounds like your friend Gail put her time into what she valued here on Earth. Her friends and family treasured her and she treasured them. I think you are wonderful to be thinking of a way to honor her and remember her for your next relay.

    Thinking of you.

    Aloha,
    Kathleen
  • pete43lost_at_sea
    pete43lost_at_sea Member Posts: 3,900 Member
    #10
    its good to cry
    hi gail,

    the relay for life and friends, tears to help you grieve well.
    its apart of living well.

    hugs,
    pete

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