Thanks to you and folks in the Weight Loss group…

[rbnyc]

…and also, thanks to my wonderful husband, I went to the service today feeling like my feelings and challenges are within the acceptable and manageable range of human experiences.

It was wonderful to see my friends, and to hear the words of Suzanne’s father, boyfriend, brother and boss who spoke to the hundreds of us, with such grace and generosity. It meant so much to be with people who loved her and who had been loved by her. It truly was a celebration of her life and the gifts she brought to her many families.

No one said, “Gee, Rene, you sure did gain a lot of weight!” I didn’t actually expect them to say that but I expected to feel like that’s what they were thinking. But all I felt from any of my friends was the sorrowful bewilderment over the loss of Suzanne, gratitude that we had known her and love for one another.

Hart family establishes memorial scholarship fund

http://www.galesburg.com/education/x1481468748/Hart-family-establishes-memorial-scholarship-fund

[rbnyc]

1. This is a pretty good article...

...about the service:

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/12/19/colleagues-recall-victim-of-elevator-accident/

[Lucinda]

3. She sounds like someone I would have liked a lot.

You are pretty teriffic yourself, and I'm glad you were part of her life.

[rbnyc]

4. Thank you.

[Lucinda]

2. I've been thinking about you today, and it makes me happy to hear that the

day became a celebrations of her life. That is the way I have always looked at marking the passing of someone I love. It's always a celebration of who they were and what they brought to my life. We blew bubbles at my mothers funeral. And pictures do exists of me in a tinfoil hat from later that day, but that is a story for another day.

Thank you for letting us be here for you. I'm glad you've found us at ASAH.

[rbnyc]

9. Me too.

It's weird how you can say things to "strangers" in public that you sometimes can't say to the people around you in private. Two reasons: First, we're not really strangers. Second, the forum is removed enough from the every day workings of my life that it makes me feel like there's more space to talk sometimes. There's a lot of room here, while home and work life are just moving so fast and there's always so much going on. I don't iknow if that makes sense.

[Lucinda]

14. It makes a lot of sense. And I think it can be easier to ask for what we need here too, which is

really a blessing.

If you need energy, or light, or prayers here, you simply ask for them, people respond, and your spirit is refreshed. You don't have to explain why you need it, or even have to figure out exactly what it is that you need. There is a lightness in that process that doesn't happen the same way with people in your daily life at home. It's not a substitute for friends and family, it's an addition that enhances our spiritual journey.

[Little Star]

5. I was waiting for you to post to find out...

how things went. I'm glad you have friends who love you for just being you. It's a nice feeling, huh?

And I'm sorry for the loss of your friend. She sounds like she too was loved very much.

OOPS! Just realized I wasn't in the weight loss group.

[rbnyc]

10. Hi ..

...I know I posted in two groups because I wanted to hear from folks who'd struggled with weight loss. But I also have found such a nice community in ASAH, I wanted them to know what was going on with me.

I learned a lot about cortisol in the weight loss group - I think that may be a major factor for me. I need to practice better stress management techniques.

Suzanne was very much loved and she touched a lot of people’s lives.



Thanks for caring about all this.

[Little Star]

15. I hear you on the stress management issue!....

I was very sure you would have no problem about seeing your friends after such a long time. I was pleased to be right about that! Friends are just that, friends.

Please accept my condolences regarding your friend Suzanne.

LS

[murielm99]

6. I thought about you today.

I am sorry for your loss, but happy that you did not have to feel self-conscious.

Your reactions are totally understandable and human. God bless you.

[rbnyc]

11. Thank you.

It's amazing how much it really helps just to know one's feelings are understandable and human - exactly what you said.

[Celebration]

7. ............

Even though we all expected this ending to the story, it is still very nice to hear it.

[rbnyc]

12. And we can keep...

..celebrating her life by continuing to remember and act on the values she reminded us all of.

Her life had big ripples.

[Remember Me]

8. Sounds like the event was exactly what an event like that should be --

a celebration of her life and a comfort to the mourning.

Thanks so much for your update.

[rbnyc]

13. Thank you.