I'm sure I was not alone in feeling useless from such a far distance and wishing that I could be nearby to offer some practical help. Yet I also have received support from this community when I was facing my surgery and was very touched and aided by it. I know that what we offered, long distance as it was, did help her spirit if not her body.
I am amazed by the spirit with which she approached the process of dealing with cancer and the gusto with which she enjoyed life during the treatments. Shortly before she died, ever the optimist, she booked a cruise for Mexico that she never got to take. Maybe she'll make it on the astral.
So here I am, and many others today, grieving deeply for someone I never met in person but only through words on a computer forum. I am reminded of Ani DiFranco's lyric:
I fight fire with words
words are hotter than flames
words are wetter than water
Words are pretty damn powerful.
Chavi Revanna
(Cathlene Patricia McKenna)
July 27, 1975 - April 1, 2006
Bright Blessings on your journey, Chavi. I am blessed to have known you.