The following email came from a high school friend on December 10, 2008. I was the maid-of-honor in her wedding and she was a bride’s maid in mine.

I have been thinking and thinking about you and your family and wondering. I am so grateful that you gave us the opportunity to walk this journey with you.

I have a theory that as family spread apart geographically and communities have become more complicated, death has been treated as almost a unnatural part of the life’s journey. What a tremendous blessing it has been to me 500 miles away to share this path with you.  Thank you for that privilege.

I am sorry for yours, Jan’s, Hannah’s, Dayton’s and your mother’s loss. But I rejoice at the love, laughter and fun memories you have to cherish.

I always loved your father. He is one of my best memories from track.

Love,

Beth