Fitting Farewells

Monday morning I woke up feeling strong, like I could brave anything. I spent the morning talking via email with a friend who was delivering a eulogy, helping him refine his speech. And then I prepared myself and met up with people I used to work with to go in to the crematorium together. Amy and I greeted each other with a kiss and squeeze of the hand, although we didn’t speak at all.

The service was beautiful; funny and slightly irreverent, just like my friend. We cried and laughed at the same time as stories were recounted. I didn’t try to be brave during the service. I just let the tears course my cheeks. Once the service was over, the chapel doors opened and we left to the distinctive tune of Sid Viscious singing "My Way"… a fitting tribute if ever there was one.

Afterwards, we all met at a lovely little pub and drank and remembered our friend and met her extended friends and family. I think I got home around 1am; our friend would have been proud.

I miss her, but I really feel like I was able to be a part of something that helped us all. Her family is taking her back to the UK, where they will give her ashes to the breeze atop the highest peak. She was always a free spirit.

Our friend was the lynchpin for our group of friends. Without her, I think we will drift apart, slowly. I know none of us will ever forget her, though.