She was...a wife
a friend
a mom
a sister
a daughter
a runner
a cancer survivor
and much more.
She died on Sunday at only 44 years old, leaving a loving husband, two wonderful daughters, and many many friends including me.
Even though I never met her in real life.
Similarly as with my internet friend JFuzz, I maybe didn't realize how much I cared until Rebecca was sick again. Until we knew she was dying.
Rebecca was, strangely, one of my first facebook friends. I'd originally joined facebook because a few blog friends, several years ago, prompted me to join so we could play an online game together. One of those blog friends was also a friend of Rebecca's.
So yeah, I met her through a silly online word game. Thank goodness.
And I learned she was more than her vocabulary skills. And when her cancer came back, I was saddened, but SHE kept her smiling face somehow. Through all the chemo and medications and having to miss out on fun things in life, she kept smiling, right up 'til the end. Even when told it wasn't working. Nothing was working.
Now she's finally free from all that. I feel very sad for her husband and daughters, but I'm glad that her suffering is over. I think of her as not necessarily "gone", just having crossed another finish line onto the next fun thing.
Enjoy your post-race beer, Rebecca. You've earned it and so much more.
Rest in Peace.
12 comments:
She sounds like a wonderful person, and whether you have actually met in person doesn't make her less a friend to you, the pain of loss is still there.
RIP Rebecca.
How sad. Cancer really is a bitch. I'm so sorry. :(
Very touching tribute. I admire how strong people can be when facing something so difficult. And it sounds like she certainly was. Still, a very sad story. I'm so sorry for your loss. :(
Oh Abby, I am so sorry. Online friends have saved me more than once. Big hugs.
Very true. Thanks Jimmy.
You said it, Joey. Thanks.
I don't know how she did it. It's sad and inspiring at the same time. Thanks, ShadowRun
Thanks RK. Real friends are friends, even if "just" online.
I'm sorry for your loss. :( This is a wonderful post to how amazing of a friend that Rebecca was .
Thanks Morgan. Still hard to believe she's gone.
How very sad. My sympathies to you and everyone else who loved her. Sometimes I think crossing that finish line will be a joy when it's our turn and we can again see the people we've loved who crossed before us.
Thanks, Linda. I tend to think that too, hopefully it's not just wishful. I see her in a "better place", it's just sad for those left behind.
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