adoptedwriter: (Default)
adoptedwriter ([personal profile] adoptedwriter) wrote2025-06-15 11:33 am

Week 1: Quality


     Yesterday, while so many people I know were out there protesting, (which I think is awesome and something I would have liked to have done), I was getting dressed for and attending a three-hour celebration of life for a neighbor. (Technically the 37-year old daughter of a neighbor, but a “kid” who lived near us until her college time.) My daughter, MermaidFan, was a friend of her sister’s, and all these girls began their early years in the same day care center before advancing on to K-12 school together. In other words, we all go way back.

 

     The gathering was amazing. The afternoon was filled with beauty, magic, warm hugs, a few laughs, music and excellent eulogy-type speeches. A quartet of singers, opened the celebration with a lovely rendition of Sting’s “Fields of Gold”, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KLVq0IAzh1A), and  eight presenters, including the deceased’s mom, dad, sister, aunt and three friends spoke. One friend shared memories from their childhoods. One reflected on their college years and the third basically gave tribute to the whole family and their overall kindness without judgement toward anyone who needed something. 

 

     What impressed me most of all was the fact that once you became a friend of this family, and especially the deceased sister, you became a forever friend. You became a 100%, all-the-time, important person in her eyes and that would never change. Even though I personally didn’t know “M” as well as I knew the younger sister and their mom, I lament the fact that this family is no longer complete. It happened too soon. It’s one of those, “I can’t even” things. After losing one of my own sisters in April, this hits harder than I expected.

 

     “M” was only 37, but she’d led a full life of learning, reading, diverse friendships, fine food, fandoms, travel, career success and love. Her time was too short, but she lived her life well.

 

You can’t do better than that.

 

erulissedances: US and Ukrainian Flags (Default)

[personal profile] erulissedances 2025-06-21 08:05 pm (UTC)(link)
To be remembered with tears, smiles and bittersweet joy is really all any of us can hope for.

- Erulisse (one L)
muchtooarrogant: (Default)

[personal profile] muchtooarrogant 2025-06-21 09:09 pm (UTC)(link)
I have always loved the song Fields of Gold.

I agree with you, very sad that they lost such a young member of their family, but it does sound like she lived well.

Thank you for sharing the event with us.

Dan
hafnia: Animated drawing of a flickering fire with a pair of eyes peeping out of it, from the film Howl's Moving Castle. (Default)

[personal profile] hafnia 2025-06-21 10:30 pm (UTC)(link)
Oof, I'm in that age group, as are most of my friends. I would hate to lose any of them. I'm glad the memorial was a good one, and I like the conclusion you draw here ♥
wolfden: (Default)

[personal profile] wolfden 2025-06-22 05:46 pm (UTC)(link)
So sorry for your loss.
vik_thor: (sadrassi)

[personal profile] vik_thor 2025-06-22 07:54 pm (UTC)(link)
My sympathies on the loss of "M". It definitley sounds like her memories will be cherished by all who knew her. Wonderful tribute.
gunwithoutmusic: (Default)

[personal profile] gunwithoutmusic 2025-06-22 08:25 pm (UTC)(link)
What a shame to be taken so early like that. :( At least it sounds like they spent those years surrounded by love.
murielle: Me (Default)

[personal profile] murielle 2025-06-22 09:55 pm (UTC)(link)
I am so sorry for your losses. ❤

What a wonderful family. What a wonderful friend. And what a wonderful, yet too short, life she lived.

Thank you for sharing this with us. ❤

[personal profile] legalpad819 2025-06-23 12:45 am (UTC)(link)
Yes, 37 is much too young. I'm sorry for your loss.
rayaso: (Default)

[personal profile] rayaso 2025-06-23 09:36 pm (UTC)(link)
This was a very sweet tribute to your friend and her family. 37 is far to short. It seems she had an impact on a lot of people.
mollywheezy: (HUGS)

[personal profile] mollywheezy 2025-06-25 04:00 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry for the loss of M. I'm glad the celebration of her life was a good one.
alycewilson: Photo of me after a workout, flexing a bicep (Default)

[personal profile] alycewilson 2025-06-25 08:46 pm (UTC)(link)
I'm so sorry for your loss. Given that she was your daughter's friend, I can only imagine how hard that hits.
tonithegreat: (Default)

[personal profile] tonithegreat 2025-06-25 10:03 pm (UTC)(link)
Awwww! It’s tough when a memorial is good but you’re still dealing with a loss. I’m glad there were uplifting vibes and sorry to hear of your loss.

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