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Share your quitting journey

HANDELING THE LOSS OF A BEST FRIEND

KMC56
Member
2 36 300

For 11 years my best friend stood beside me, protected me when the kids were living independently  or in college, and my husband was transferred to Europe.

She was there through death of parents, illness of family and helped me rehab after breaking my leg.

She was so intelligent, kind and sweet!!

She was as graceful as an otter swimming in the lake every summer.

She loved playing street hockey with the neighborhood kids and would play ball if she could 24 hours every day.

She NEVER left my side,even when her health was decaying her beautiful body.

Yesterday, I said goodbye to my sweet Emma.

She left an unbelievable impression to everyone that had the privilege of knowing her.

This is a day I knew enviably would arrive, and would  the closing of her life cause me to return to an addiction that would normally distract the reality of life.  It never crossed my mind..

In memory of my Sweet Emma ~9-20-2017

~Kathy 516 DOF

20170827_122303.jpg

Tags (2)
36 Comments
Brianairb2
Member

I'm so sorry for the loss of your dear friend.  What a way to honor her memory by affirming your own life by not smoking.  Be gentle to yourself as you feel her loss. 

TW517
Member

Jennifer-Quit
Member

So sorry for your loss.

RachelMB
Member

I'm so sorry on the loss of your sweet Emma!  Big hugs headed your way!

Rachel

Diannnnn
Member

I am so sorry Kathy. My eyes are leaking because I know your pain. I hope this is as comforting to you as it has been for me:

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.

When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable.

All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor. Those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.

They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent. His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.

You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.

Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

Author unknown...

cpsono
Member

I'm so sorry for your loss and I understand exactly what you are going through.  It is a pain like no other when we lose our precious ones who give us unconditional love.  Please take care of yourself and I'm proud of you for not smoking!

bonniebee
Member

Awwww what a nice picture of her .I am so sorry for your loss what a sweet friend it is so hard to lose our best friends .

JonesCarpeDiem

I'm sorry for your loss.

RIP Emma.

MarilynH
Member

I'm so sorry for your loss too  they're our family, our furry cuddly fur babies! Huge hug from me to you Kathy. 

KMC56
Member

Thank you Diannnnn, very touching.

YoungAtHeart
Member

I cry every time I read Rainbow Bridge.  It brings back memories of all the friends I have lost over the years.  We do move on, eventually, but they stay in our hearts forever.

YoungAtHeart
Member

Sending gentle and healing hugs your way.  She was lucky to have YOU as her human!

Nancy

crazymama_Lori
Karina123
Member

My heart feels your pain what a wonderful  friend I believe Emma is still here with you and no matter where you go she's watching you ....you have all those wonderful memories and nothing  can take that away from you ..

Giulia
Member

Beautiful, loving face.  It makes me sad just looking at her and knowing how much she meant to you.  So I can only imagine what you're going through.  How lucky to have had her in your life.  And you in hers.

Daniela2016
Member

Hi Kathy, KMC56‌, I have been crying since your first sentence, and I know how much our friends mean to us; they are friends, they are family, and many times even more than family!

I am sorry for you losing Emma, and I am sure she is in a better place, and you 2 will be reunited when the time will come for that.

JACKIE1-25-15
Member

Sorry for the loss of your dear friend Emma.  Thank you for sharing what a beautiful person she was, inside and out.  We only hope to have a friend like her.  You are blessed to have had her. 

SkyGirl
Member

I'm so sorry for the loss of Emma.  I'll be thinking of you, Kathy.

xxxooo,  Sky

elvan
Member

KMC56‌  I am so sorry for your loss, I am openly weeping just thinking of how hard it is to say goodbye to our beloved fur babies, I am so glad that she had you and that you had her.  Your love went with her and will be around you every moment of every day.  My heart hurts for you, Kathy, I know that loss, I know it well and we both know that smoking would do nothing but it would have been our first reaction at one point in our lives.

Sending you hugs, love, and prayers.

Ellen

Sootie
Member

Each dog I have lost has broken my heart.......but all of our dogs have been a huge part of who we are as people and as a family. People say their dogs taught their kids responsibility----but I think our dogs taught our children about how to be loyal, how to love unconditionally and how to be happy with the little things in life.....because, they were actually the big things.

FROM MARLEY- A dog has no use for fancy cars, big homes, or designer clothes. A water logged stick will do just fine. A dog doesn't care if you're rich or poor, clever or dull, smart or dumb. Give him your heart and he'll give you his. How many people can you say that about? How many people can make you feel rare and pure and special? How many people can make you feel extraordinary?

bacardigirl
Member

This literally brings tears to my eyes-what a beautiful tribute to your baby, your best friend. Please accept my condolences, I know how much your sweet Emma had to have meant to you, because I know what my babies mean to me. 

~Cris 

KMC56
Member

Thanks Sootie Loved that book, actually have the book in my book cabinet...with my other favs!

Thomas3.20.2010

Let yourself feel! It's OK! I'm right here!

Giulia
Member

If you haven't read "The Art of Racing in the Rain," I would highly recommend it.  Perhaps not right now (it might be a bit too potent emotionally), but at some future date.  Just put it in the back of your brain pan.  It's an exquisite book about a dog and love and life and the living of it and the dying from it.  It's a real pity that certain books have been lost to the generations that came after it.  

SkyGirl
Member

Wow. I never thought of it that way, Sudie.  Thank you.

SkyGirl
Member

Thank you for recommending this book to everyone.  It's sort of a heartbreaker, but worth every tear you will cry over it...

Giulia
Member

It is definitely heart breaker, but as you said worth every tear you will cry over it.  You know, there's another great book, about a cat, called "The Abandoned" by Paul Gallico.  It's quite a remarkable book.  You can get it on Amazon.  It will uplift your life.  And make you cry too.  Love does that, doesn't it?!    

Mike.n.Atlanta

Losing family is always difficult but you'll carry her in your heart always Kathy. She was beautiful.

Keep on keepin on,

M n @

Sandy-9-17-17
Member

So very sorry you have to deal and cope with this great loss!  They certainly do become a part of the

family, in human-like ways!  I love our Mikey, and can't imagine ever losing him! 

Praying for comforting hands to help you cope with your loss!

KMC56
Member

Thank you ALL for your kind words of compassion....muwaah!

KMC56
Member

Thanks Giulia, I've jotted that down in my tablets memo...

KMC56
Member

Thank you!

KMC56
Member

Thank you Mike..

Strudel
Member

I am so very sorry....you have written a lovely tribute to her - and the picture is so beautiful. Please take care of yourself during this very tough time...

elvan
Member

KMC56  Huge (((((HUGS))))) today, grieving is such a personal and unpredictable journey.  You are not alone, my friend.

Love,

Ellen

Sootie
Member

Giulia‌   I LOVED that book!!!!! And yes.....it's a great cathartic cry!!!!

About the Author
Have smoked for over 40 years....approaching 60. Wake up call...time marches by, and want to be smoke free...as I have promised myself when I turned 30, 40, 50!!