Well, you didn’t know her, but I did.  We worked together for a number of years.  I will always hear her laugh and her shoulders shake.  Just keep on keeping on.  That’s what she told me.  Taught me.  And she did.

Cancer–even after years of diligent mammograms.  Working as best she could despite a ridiculous incompatibility with her boss…and her job…and perhaps even her tasks.  Somehow it seemed that she couldn’t bring her dreams forth into her life.  Not sure what those dreams might have been.  But she kept on.

Though work disputes, misunderstandings, perplexing powerlessness.  Then even more puzzling the cancer.  Then without a job.  Then cancer again.  Then, just recently two strokes in one week.  It certainly was a sign.  When the fluid kept surrounding her heart, we knew that time was short.

We had a party at the foot of her hospital bed and made her laugh.  The corner of her mouth rose up as far as it could and her shoulders shook.  But her wide morphine eyes and body so still and hands placed just moveless so, will never leave my heart.  She kept on.  I’m glad I gave her a kiss, and told her angels were all around her room, always fluttering, gaggling and giggling.

And now she’s teaching the angels just to keep on keeping on.  Thanks Faye.