My friend Lyndsay

My whole body hurts. I feel like I've just done a major workout! And yet, I haven't worked out in days.

Today, we attended my friend Lyndsay's funeral. She was 47 years old.

Eleven weeks ago she went to Patient First because she "didn't feel well". Super Bowl Sunday, I had to hold her wine glass because the IV they inserted had "messed up" the nerves in her hand. What was really going on, was she had Melanoma. There were tumors in her brain that interfered with her motor skills. There were tumors in her lungs, her intestines, and finally the cancer reached her liver and there was nothing left to do, but watch her beautiful smile fade away.

She was so generous that she invited her family and friends to join her for a final communion in her hospital room. That was her last day of conciousness. It was one of the most lovely things I've experienced. To have the loveliness to share your final moments with your friends. To say special words to each person. She looked from person to person, holding eye contact for several seconds, I felt her "say" I Love You. And I was able to "say" I love you, back.

Today was a celebration of a life well lived. A life that touched many with her beautiful spirit, her spacey way, happy, laughing, concerned for her daughters, in love with her husband.

At her funeral, 1 Corinthians 13 was read. You know the one..."Love is patient, Love is kind, Love is not boastful..." What a beautiful passage to read to describe her.

I feel so sad that I will no longer be able to share swim meets, football tailgates, Bizarre Bazaar, Redneck Bowling and so much more with her. I'm sad looking at her husband and daughters and knowing the sadness and anger they will face at the loss of a great wife and mother. My whole body hurts with sadness.

I hope to incorporate a little bit of her loving way into my life, that I may show joy and happiness and love when dealing with strangers and especially my family and friends.

And I hope to take a little bit of her with me to White Lake on May 3. She was so proud that I was training for my first Half Ironman, that I hope to honor her in my efforts there.