Today I went to the memorial for Carol, one of my grandmother’s best friends.  Carol passed away last month after a long illness.

It’s hard to know what to say at such an event.  Words seem painfully inadequate.  She was an extraordinary person in many ways, but above all she had a knack for bringing cheer and joy wherever she went.  In our hurried, impersonal world, that is indeed a rare gift.

One of the more poignant moments at the memorial came when her close friend explained that Carol had said previously that she didn’t want any memorial to be held.  “I know.  But it’s not for you.  It’s for us,” the friend replied.  And it was.

Goodbye Carol.