My friend died this morning.

[nolabear]

I mentioned a few days ago that a long time internet friend was in her last days, and everyone was very kind with condolences. I just thought I'd update. She lost that fight at 3:22 this morning. Safe journey, sister. I'll miss you a lot.

[bluesbassman]

1. Sorry for your loss nolabear.

Safe passage for your friend and peace to you. :hug:

[Kali]

2. ...

sending a hug your way

[MiddleFingerMom]

3. One of the things that made her life GOOD...

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...was having YOU for a friend.
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And vice versa.
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[Lasher]

4. Sorry Bear.

We're lucky to have our friends, even if they end up crossing over before us.

Lasher

[Lisa0825]

5. So sorry for the loss of your friend. (((((((hugs)))))))) nt

:hug:

[mvd]

6. So sorry, nolabear

:hug:

[GreenPartyVoter]

7. I am so very sorry. *hugs*

[CaliforniaPeggy]

8. I'm so sorry, my dear nolabear...

I hope she went easily, without pain or trouble...

Remember, she will always live in your heart...

Safe passage to her...

:hug:

[denbot]

9. I am sorry your friend is making her journey.

Peace to you, and all her loved ones.

[nolabear]

10. Thank you to all. Funny that word "journey."

I'm really an athiest, one of those "searching for meaning" types who tries to get comfort from the idea that there is something awe-inspiring about the nature of existence, and that we do remain somehow if only in influence and atoms. But I like the idea of "journey" and the archetypal idea that death is not something that happens to you, but is a place that you go. Part of my personal connection to this is that I latched on to one very small thing when my mother died, when I was 13. A family friend had visited her not long before--sadly, at that time we were not allowed to be with her because hospitals didnt let kids do that--said that, though she was in and out of consciousness, she had said something interesting. She was very religious and you'd have thought there would be a religious nature to it, but there wasn't. She said "Got my bags and my reservation." Now, she didn't know this, but my mother had sung a song to me, one among many, and I think this is what she meant. I took a lot of comfort from it and I still do. I hope this is how she, and we all, ultimately let go:

Gonna take a Sentimental Journey,
Gonna set my heart at ease.
Gonna make a Sentimental Journey,
to renew old memories.

Got my bags, got my reservations,
Spent each dime I could afford.
Like a child in wild anticipation,
I Long to hear that, "All aboard!"

Seven...that's the time we leave at seven.
I'll be waitin' up for heaven,
Countin' every mile of railroad
track, that takes me back.

Never thought my heart could be so yearny.
Why did I decide to roam?
Gotta take that Sentimental Journey,
Sentimental Journey home.

[progressoid]

13. Nice - I'm smiling now.

I've too been wrestling with those "searching for meaning" issues lately. It's going to be a tough holiday season this year but I just listened to that song again and somehow feel better (haven't heard it since I played that in high school).

Hope you find some peace too.

[kimi]

17. That is sweet

I'm smiling now too.

:hug: honey. You're a good friend.

[Phentex]

25. Nice!

I'm very sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[joeybee12]

11. Very sorry to hear this...may she rest in peace...

:grouphug:

[WinkyDink]

12. My sincere condolences, {{{nolabear}}}.

[Call Me Wesley]

14. Safe passage to your friend.

May she be free from suffering. Peace and comfort to you and yours, nolabear.

[applegrove]

15. vibes.

[kimi]

16. I'm so sorry

Peace and safe passage to your friend. These times aren't easy, hugs to you for being such a good friend to her.

Take care.

[Haole Girl]

18. Sorry to hear about your friend, nolabear

:hug:

[nolabear]

19. We did an interesting thing today in memoriam.

There are six of us who have remained friends since we bonded over Northern Exposure way back when. Since it's a dedicated listserv we posted some of her "Greatest Quips" from the past couple of years, much as people here post old threads. It was so nice to "hear" her voice as she was before she was so ill.

And since it was so appropriate to the season and the end of her time with us, and so much the way we all found one another, I posted this for her, and for all of us:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U2TPMoP01Sc

[Dappleganger]

20. I'm so sorry.

:hug:

[madinmaryland]

21. Rest in Peace. I'm sorry for your loss, nolabear.

:hug:

[bigwillq]

22. I am so sorry for your loss.

:hug:

[GoCubsGo]

23. I'm so sorry.

Hug.

[laylah]

24. I am so sorry for the loss of your friend,

nolabear. :hug: