A Year Ago Today........

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
A Year Ago Today........
27
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 7:09am
.....my best friend of 30+ years died from a rare form of lung cancer. She was my inspiration to seriously try my darndest to quit smoking. She only lived 8 months

after her dx.

The last 6 days of her life were spent in the hospital with a complete breathing mask.

I visited with her twice during that time, not counting the last time when she had

slipped into a coma.

I tell myself to NEVER forget how she looked lying in that bed, having to use

the mask to breathe, even tho she hated it so. She was my touchstone, and is now

my inspiration to wake up each morning and be happy I am alive...and NOT coughing.

I may slip with the cigs, from time to time, but I no longer have that terrible cough

that we BOTH had. She was a smoker, too.

A year ago today, I will also consider my anniversary for *meeting* Hugs & Golly.

You see, Mel was staying with me, and she's the one that taught me about all this

board *stuff*. I am grateful and feel truly blessed to have met so many wonderful

folks over the course of this year, and hope to maintain some of the friendships

for a long, long time.

Much love and enjoy your day:)

* stel *


Edited 10/10/2003 7:18:10 AM ET by stel2002

* Stel *

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iVillage Member
Registered: 04-04-2002
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 7:16am
Hey, Good Morning Stel, a sad and quiet post. She must have been a very special friend to a very special friend. Have a happy day Stel and keep the good memories close. Love Hilary
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-27-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 8:23am

Stel - - what a great friend she must have been.


You must know, you have SO HOnored her, , I am so proud of how far you have come and I'm sure Sally must also be smiling and so proud of you. . of your strength and sense of commitment and dedication to DO THIS quit thing.

Avatar for kiggidyk
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-26-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 8:53am
that really warmed my heart. I love it here too, it's so nice to be reminded of all the good people out there in this world...you women are all so great!

HUGS

kim

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 10:41am

Oh Stel,
Your post so warmed my heart and yes, brought a few tears. How you have honored your friend!
I know it's just my belief, but I honestly think that she knows this and is so happy that she made a difference in your life!
I so vividly remember when Mel first let us know she wanted you to join her/us on this difficult but so rewarding journey to getting and staying smokefree. We had all moved from another place to here and were all holding onto eachother as you (and others) joined the circle-life raft too. Each of us must do the work to get and stay smober but sharing the joys, sorrows, well, life in general sure makes it easier to do with friends like you!
A sincere thank you Stel.

~Golly~

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-25-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 1:43pm

{{Stel}}


This comforted me in a time like this -so I share it here today


Letter From Heaven



To my dearest friends and


Bill


iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 4:04pm
Thanks, Hil:) She WAS a VERY special PERSON...all around....a friend to all.

I'm glad YOU found this board, too:) xoxo stel

* Stel *

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 4:07pm
TY, Tracy:) I know YOU have heard this story a bunch, bless your heart.

Have known you almost a year, also:) Your words were comforting, and I

appreciate them, and you! xoxo stel

* Stel *

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 4:09pm
Thanks to you, too, Kim. Hope you & Ryan have a wonderful weekend

Let us know on Monday, k? xoxo stel

* Stel *

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 4:13pm
Well, talk about bringing tears to a person's eyes.....geez:) :::sniff, sniff:::

No words can adequately express my thoughts on your sweet, sweet post right now....but I'm 'jus fine', as you would say, my friend

xoxo stel

* Stel *

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-24-2003
Fri, 10-10-2003 - 4:20pm
Oh, wow...I LOVE it....could not be more appropriate:) Can't wait to forward it on

to Sal's Mom. She reminded me last nite to remember that Sally would not want us

to grieve today. I wish I could send a copy of the 'affirmation' said at her memorial

service to all of you, so you would know what a good Christian, friend, mother, wife, etc. she was. Re-reading it last nite helped.

And Mr. Bill....I am thankful you saw my post & sent that poem my way. I didn't mention you in my anniversary w/ivillage. You were so very kind to me in the beginning of my quit, and I'll never forget that.

xoxo stel

* Stel *

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