adoptedwriter

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.

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fausts_dream

37 years isn't long, but it sounds like she made a great impact in a lot of lives. This is a well crafted excellent tribute

adoptedwriter

Thank you! Glad you're here for the game!

mallorys_camera

❤️❤️❤️

drippedonpaper

So sorry for your loss. It's so great her family members were able to speak. I am not sure I could at a close family members funeral. Hugs to you.

Thanks!

The sister even SANG a solo! She did beautifully. I told her afterwards that I wouldn’t be able to even sing “Old McDonald Had a Farm” under normal circumstances. That got a laugh. But, yeah…Just speaking…I did my birth father’s eulogy in 2015. I felt in the moment that my talk was lame, but everyone said I did OK. I re-read my speech a few months later, and it was OK, but still…

marjorica

She sounds like such a special person.

simplyn2deep

Thank you for sharing this...what a touching tribute. It sounds like “M” was deeply loved and lived a meaningful, beautiful life, even if far too short. I’m so sorry for your loss, especially with the fresh grief of your sister’s passing. Holding space for both your sorrow and the quiet strength it takes to show up for others in moments like these.

shirebound

What a lovely and loving tribute to M, and her family. ♥

She was. Thanks.

Thank you.

xeena

a beautiful tribute to her <3 it's so sad she passed away at only 37 but she had a great life while she was here and that is also a beautiful thing <3