A year ago today

-Sitting in a hospital 

holding the hand of a woman I'd know my entire life. 

Listening to monitors.

Starring at numbers.

Wish and hoping. 

Hugging my mother. 

Sitting with my best friends brother and 

Talking with his wife.

Trying my best to keep it together 

to stand by my friends side,

Because 

Through thick and through thin 

we've always been 

3nights we sat, my mother and I 

Begging her to squeeze our hands 

or bat an eye

Then a phone call from dad set my heart on fire 

My grandpa was sick

His situation seemed dire 

Not wanting him to miss the blessing of my child 

I threw together a simple celebration 

Not two hours before 

I revived a message

"Karen passed away peacefully, surrounded by family" 

I chose not to feel it

No tears would be shed, 

Until after my husband laid his hands on Eve's head 

Quietly I sat 

Hearing the sweet words

A blessing of a life just beginning 

Sitting next to a man whose life would, all too soon, be ending 

Sleep deprived and overwhelmed 

I sat numbly and watched 

Suddenly I felt a sweet presence 

A peaceful happiness 

as I looked at my child 

And I'm sure she was there 

From heaven she came

To be part of this moment 

To ease some of my pain

So much happened in so little of time

Too much to process

Too much to feel 

Holding it back was my way to deal

A whole year later 

And I'm still not sure it was real... -

(Both of these pictures were taken a year ago today)

How lucky am I to have known such an amazing woman? To have her daughter as one of my closest friends? 

I do not think I would be who I am today if I hadn't known the Wilson family. 

Karen was beautiful, inside and out. 

Plus, she raised my best friend. 

Who I honestly could not live without. 

I cannot put into words all of the memories I cherish of Karen. 

I'll remember her always and love her forever. 

❤️