Loss....

I want to tell you about somebody really wonderful who died today.

She was my dearest friend's Mum. We all called her Muffin, and my kids
called her Grandmuffin. I've known her since I was 13, and that's
about 32 years. That's as long as I had my sister.

She was always laughing. She could find humour in every corner, but
she was never unkind. She was one of the most empathetic,
compassionate people I've ever known. If ever I have half her love of
life and of people and most of all, of her family and dearest friends,
I will have learned more than most ever do from life. She was a fierce
defender of her children and a woman of character and courage.

When I was married, Muffin was there.

When my children were born, Muffin was at all the showers, and was
among the first to admire my babies.

When I needed support, she was there for me, even though I wasn't her
child. When I had an ectopic pregnancy, and came home from surgery and
ten days' hospitalisation, my husband went to work. My mom had to
work. But Muffin and Karen were there for me. They came a considerable
distance at their own expense and stayed with me until I got strong
enough to be on my own all day.

When I was divorced, whenever things were down, when bad things
happened, she was there with a card or an email or a phone call of
encouragement. Sometimes, she would sense that we just needed
encouragement for no particular reason, and she would send some along.

We spent Christmas at her home one year, and were included as members
of the family. It took all day to open all the presents, because so
many people had wanted to show her their love with this or that little
gift.

She let me cry on her shoulder many times after my sister's death. She
cried for my daughter, who was so badly brutalised. She supported all
of our efforts and cheered our successes and felt our griefs.

She was a joyous, loving, compassionate, giving human being. She gave
life everything she had, lived with all her heart, and loved with her
whole soul. Not just her own children, although, especially them. Not
just her own family, although, especially them. Her heart was big
enough for so many, many, many people. In that little 4'10" body she
had a heart the size of the cosmos.

I miss her deeply. My children miss her deeply. The world has lost a
beautiful human being.

And I needed somebody to tell - that she lived, and that she has died.
So thanks for listening.

Cele