My friend Rebecca died this week. She was all of 37 years old (if I've done the math right) and she had metastatic breast cancer. She was also one of the funniest people in my online community. She was also generous, straigtforward and honest. My heart goes out to her friends and family - the people she loved, wrote about and who knew her best.
Rebecca left strict instructions that we were to shed no tears after her passing (I'm afraid I've let her down on that front but I've been doing my best) and that, instead of a funeral she wanted a celebration of her life. I'd love to join the party and to hear the stories that those closest to her would be bound to share. Because Rebecca took her fun seriously.
I won't be able to attend the celebration (Rebecca lived in Cape Cod) but I would like to do something. And I need your help.
1. In the next week or so, please go out and do something fun. Do anything at all, as long as it makes you happy. If you need inspiration, Rebecca loved dogs (especially her pit bull, Diezel), cooking, eating out (her restaurant reviews were among my favourite blog posts), her scooter, her little car, road trips, NASCAR, kick boxing, books, funny movies and music. If none of these things appeal to you, please go out and do your own thing. If you like, bring someone with you to join in the fun.
2. Let me know. You can leave me a comment on this blog, send me an email (laurie dot kingston at gmail dot com) or message me on Twitter (I'm @lauriek). Just a few words to let me know what fun thing you did in Rebecca's memory. I'll compile a list and make sure that it gets to her family.
23 comments:
This is a wonderful tribute to your friend. I will do something in her memory and let you know. It's an honor. XXOO
Thanks so much Blondie. And if you could help spread the word, that would be great. xo back to you.
Tomorrow I'll sing some close harmony with three friends, and tell them one of the happiest songs is for Rebecca.
I'm sorry for your loss. Sounds like a tremendous spirit.
Well, I had a jolly old time dancing in my kitchen this morning listening to the Flannigan's Ball by the Dropkick Murphy's. I'm dedicating this to her... and to you.
Thank you Nat and Maggie! This means a lot to me.
Thank you Laurie, it's kind of hard to have fun right now, but I will try....Jennifer (Rebecca's sister)
Jennifer - I am so sorry for your loss. If you aren't ready to do this or even read about it, I understand. I hope you guys are OK with this - I just felt powerless and want to contribute to the celebration of Rebecca's life.
Damn cancer sucks.
I knew rebecca I worked with her. I just leaned today thay she passed. I am not a public beah person and after work on Friday with no thought I spent the evening on the beach. Now knowing what I know I believe that she played a part in that. She knew how I despised public beaches. She will be missed bur she also taught me a lot about life.
Laurie, I'm sorry to hear about your loss. But I will absolutely help honor her and her life. Let me come up with something fierce and spectacular and I'll let you know. Hugs!
In honour of Rebecca, I am NOT staying late at work tonight (as I had intended to do) and I am going home at 5pm where I will grab my bike and go for a nice ride along the river. It's perfect weather for it, life is a gift and I'm going to appreciate it!! Thank you Laurie and thank you Rebecca!
yes to beaches (even if you hate them ;-) and to bike rides (especially instead of working late). and Mo thanks to you too for the RT. Can't wait to hear more.
Loved Rebecca's blog. Stopped by McFatty for a burger and DQ for a strawberry shake. I know its not healthy but....tasty counts :-)
Thinking also of Rebecca's family, of Diezel, and of the joy of a scooter and open roads.
Thanks Rebecca for the steady example of choosing well, every day.
Laurie, I dedicate my wonderful day on Saturday riding the life sized Thomas the Tank Engine with my 3 year old son Noah to your friend Rebecca. Such simple, beautiful kid fun, seeing this wonder through Noah's eyes. I smiled the whole afternoon and so did Noah! Hope it is ok to dedicate it as well to my dad, who we lost to cancer almost 3 years ago and who I miss every day.
Such a wonderful idea. Thank you for reminding us to value every beautiful moment.
A friend needs some headshots for his agent and has asked me to take them this Friday. It's a bit nervewrakcing, but fun. My first portrait commission! I'll be thinking of Rebecca while I'm shooting.
She shares my name, and we have a friend in common in you, so this was something I really wanted to do -- just needed the moment to be right. That moment came tonight when my mom and I went for a moonlit swim in her neighbours' pool. We were tired and could easily have passed on the opportunity, but in the spirit of your request, I urged us on. Gorgeous night, lovely memory, living in the moment.
Thanks to each of you. I am so moved by every comment and by how you are all challenging yourselves to appreciate those precious moments.
Tomorrow I am heading to the amusement park and getting on that big, bad roller coaster that I have been avoiding.
Rachel! That is so cool...let me know how it went.
Here is my post for Rebecca: http://talesfromclarkstreet.blogspot.com/2011/08/rocking-out-for-rebecca.html
Tomorrow I will do something fun. Just pure fun, because fun is fun, in honour of Rebecca. Thinking of her family and friends ...
I took Rebecca to the Iowa State Fair. :)
Ooops forgot link:
http://talesfromclarkstreet.blogspot.com/2011/08/tales-from-iowa-state-fair-butter-cow.html
Thank you Julie and Blondie. Julie: what fun things did you do? And Blondie - I love how you've embraced this!
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