I wonder how it is that I reached 46 and haven’t experienced the loss of a friend before. I guess I was lucky.
Today, my luck ran out.
My dear friend Sidney died this morning. I write the words through my tears but I still have trouble comprehending it. Wrong, wrong, wrong. It wasn’t supposed to be like this. She was younger than me. People younger than me don’t die. Unless it’s a horrendous accident. People younger than me aren’t supposed to get sick, go into the hospital, stop breathing. It’s inconceivable.
We had lunch a few weeks ago. We sat and talked about the direction SoCal Lady Bloggers was going in – the group she founded with Megan and allowed me in as their partner. She was excited. I was excited.
I knew she wasn’t feeling well and that she hadn’t been eating much. No appetite. I knew she had been in the hospital recently. Still… your friends aren’t supposed to die. MY friends aren’t supposed to die.
The great part about the online community is that word spreads fast. Condolences have come in and I know there are many, many people out there who are missing her too. I can’t even imagine how her family is dealing with this. No parent should ever lose a child. It goes against the grain.
Life moves on, I know. But not today. Maybe tomorrow.
Miss you Sid.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Carolyn, I’ve said it on many other forms of media but I wanted to let you know how very sorry I was to hear about this news.
I just became a part of the SoCal Lady Bloggers but I believe that I remember that Sidney went out of her way to welcome me via FB and I thought it was a classy move (and made me feel very welcome in both a new city and new community).
I”m sorry that I didn’t get to meet Sidney but I just wanted to let you know that I’m thinking of you, her family and those that knew her.
Melissa Burton recently posted..This Is A Test Post
Melissa Reyes (Miz Meliz) recently posted..Inn at the Seventh Ray
Sid’s enthusiasm and heart totally outweighed the strength of her body. Her main fault, I think, was she poured herself into doing things for and taking care of other people, and taking care of herself was something of an afterthought.
I love her and I miss her horribly already. R.I.P., sweet spunky redheaded girl.
Beverly Diehl recently posted..The Caged Bird Does Not Sing #domesticviolence
I am so sorry your friend died. There are no words that can comfort anyone who loses a friend through death. Again I am very sorry this happened.
I, along with a dozen or so other COH, had the pleasure of meeting Sid last summer during a small grass roots conference with Dr. Suzanne Chabaud to discuss the effects of hoarding on children and how to get information into our communities to help the children. She encouraged me to blog. Pointed me in the direction to get started and then encouraged me along the way. It is ironic how the loss of someone you met briefly can make your body ache to the core.
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Thanks for your comment Whitney – I just can’t get over the fact that we just had lunch a few weeks ago and now she’s gone. It still doesn’t seem real to me. She was really a champion for COH and did so much to help people within that community.
Yesterday I was sad when I found out. Today I am still sad, I know how close you and Megan were to her. Big hugs Carolyn, I know this is not easy. It never is. I pray for you, her friends and family that everyone finds comfort soon and even though I did not have the pleasure of meeting her in real life, I know she was very special!
I still have no words…only love and warmth, and lots of positive thoughts for all of you.
I only heard about this yesterday and my heart still aches for her family and the bloggers who knew her. So sad to learn about this. You have my condolences. I’ll be keeping you and her family in my thoughts during this very difficult time.
Kim @ Coffee Pot Chronicles recently posted..It Started with a Duck…
I never experienced a friend’s loss until college but my brother started in kindergarten with a friend who got hit by a car. I am amazed at what he can handle, but friend’s loss hurts so much.
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I was only just getting to know her, through SoCalLadyBloggers and through her blog. There are no words big enough to comfort you, her other friends & her family; but I can see the huge hole she has left behind.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. I’m thinking about you.