The Day After

There were 5 of us from AMES that showed up at Cindy's wake last night. The family was surprised that people who hadn't associated with in in 10 - 15 years would even remember her, never mind show up at her wake to pay their respects.
Her husband remembered a couple of us. Her parents and brothers never met us but we stood there and tried to figure out when Cindy had left AMES because they couldn't remember.
I think her husband, Richard is going to be okay in time. He's not afraid to ask for help, it's just going to be hard living his life now after living his life as her life for the past 2 years.

Most of us know that we should cherish our family and friends, they are the most precious things we have in our lives. Don't forget this and don't let the time with them slip by. Don't forget to save the small things in life from those you care about and love. The had at the wake last night and memory album with some thank you notes that Cindy had written to her grand parents, pictures of when she was growing up, school pictures, all sorts of family pictures, college graduation pictures and the most precious of all - from the cruise she took in Feb. with her husband, brother and sister-in-law. They had a picture of her kissing a dolphin. She made the most of that cruise - really went all out to enjoy herself and I'm glad she got to take it.

One of her brothers took the time to make a DVD of a number of pictures they had and they played it at the wake. It was very nice. You could tell they were actually trying to celebrate her life.

Remember the good times that you have with those closest too you and always try to live for today. If you have young children, start to save whatever you can, build scrap books with them and get them involved. Make sure your children get to know their grandparents if at all possible and anyone else who will enrich their lives.

Last night had a major impact on me, seeing everything that Cindy's family had saved over the years and were able to put together. A sharp contrast from the number of pictures that were found from my childhood.

And just a point I would like to put down here before I sign off for today: Cindy's passing has had a bigger impact on me, then when my own mother passed away almost 3 years ago. That is one heavy statement since it has been 12 - 15 years since I have seen Cindy and only started emailing her once I found out she had cancer.