A few days ago I went to a funeral.
This wonderful lady was someone I worked with a few years ago in Nelson.
I will never forget meeting her at a local fireworks event, and how friendly and welcoming she was to me and my family.
She was the mother of 5 boys. Aged about 12-20. (She was 47)
She was diagnosed with breast cancer, and went through this around the same time as her eldest son battled leukemia.
Unforunately she lost her battle with cancer and passed away about 6 weeks after being diagnosed with secondary cancer.
When I moved back to Nelson, this woman was the one person who made me feel so welcome. Even before I knew of her illness I remembered her for that.
I came home on Thursday and made a point to spend more time with my children.
I talked with SAM and we both agreed to try to be more positive in life.
One thing a friend of hers said when we caught up after the service was "I thought she was my best friend, but now I realise everybody was her best friend". That is exactly what she was. Everbody's best friend.