A Tangle Of Emotions

My feelings before my friend's funeral today

NOTE TO SELF: ‘Today, hug a loved one, a little tighter, for a little while longer’

I made a promise to myself, that I’d write on Substack, every single day since my 49th birthday, come what may . Today is a tough writing day, because I write with a heavy heart. One of my dear friends, Helen passed away a few weeks ago, from pancreatic cancer. She was 52.

As I prepare to attend the funeral, I’m not sure how to explain these mixed emotions. The thought of saying farewell to such a vibrant woman fills me with dread. How could someone so dear, so brave, so undeniably beautiful both inside and out be taken away from her doting hubby, two young children, dearest family and friends by the relentless and cruel disease that is CANCER.

This was one woman’s journey that ended way too soon.

She had so many adventures ahead of her, so many stories to share, but in the…