Marja...

This has been a hard week....a lovely person, a dear friend passed way on Saturday. It was expected, she had terminal breast cancer and since November she was living on borrowed time. That did not stop her: she traveled to Costa Rica, enjoyed her family, her grandchildren, celebrated her 70th birthday with a great party, went to Europe, played bridge every Wednesday she could, went out to lunch, received her friends,...all with such grace and such dignity. 

Marja was the most positive person I have ever known. She never saw the glass half full, never saw the clouds if there was a bit of sun. She never judged anyone, was always cheerful....can't say enough about her lively attitude. Our bridge group has had more than its share of sadness. Since I moved to Miami, we have lost three of our friends! It seems so unfair, so cruel. Marja, probably is not liking this. She would have never said life is cruel...unfair, but not cruel.

This group of women that have been friends for more than 20 years, in good times and bad, is once more deeply saddened. We have learned to be close, to share and to support each other. This has hit us very hard, but Marja would have said that we are strong, we can make this journey one more time....still it's very hard. Tomorrow will be the funeral; I wish I was there, to share with them, to hug them and to shed tears, to smile as we remember Marja completely sure she'll be watching. There she is waving at us..... Miss You, Darling!!!