Life is a tenuous thing. Though death finds us all eventually, some are taken from us before we are ready. I've never dealt well with death. Callous when it's someone I don't care about. Withdrawn when it is a person important to me. Last week I lost a person that was as important to me as anyone in my life with the exception of my mother, father, and my kid. I still hurt. The last few years life had kept me away from her even though she was growing older and nearing her time. I never got that cliched last chance to tell her how much she influenced me and that I loved her, Suddenly it's not such a cliche anymore. Class, intelligence, strength...all things I admire now in women, I saw in her even when I was young. I will hold memories of her close. I will grieve. I will grieve alone as to be strong for my family that need me. I will grieve as long as I need. I have cried and will cry some more. I will pass on my memories of her to my child that didn't know her. Mostly, I will honor her by continuing to be what she helped me become. Goodbye and thank you.