The Goodbye Party

[KathyTX]

To The Powerful Women in my Life ----- Keep the Faith!!

Live your life in such a way that when your feet hit the floor in the morning,
Satan shudders & says...

'Oh, ****....She's Awake!!'

Tonight I'm going to a party thrown by a dear girlfriend of mine who really does live these words. She's one of the strongest, sassiest, most generous and energetic women you could ever hope to meet. One of those people who just pulls you into their orbit and makes you a better person for it.

She's calling this a "Feel the Love" party, but it's really a goodbye party. I haven't decided whether she's throwing the party for herself or for her friends, but it will be a Texas style romp: barbecue, fajitas, karaoke, lots of people and lots of laughs.

This strong and sassy 48 year old was diagnosed with breast cancer two years ago, out of the blue. She had been diligent about mammograms, and had a clean one just six months before her diagnosis. Then she found a lump. Chemo, radiation, and finally a double mastectomy, and she was back at work and sassy as ever (but with much shorter hair.) Things were looking good. No way could a nasty bout of cancer compete with the power and spirit of our sassy little redhead.

Then, a few months ago, the monster made another appearance. It had invaded her liver, later forming lesions on her brain. More treatments, the chemo that was so hard on her body, but to no avail.

The doctors proclaimed it untreatable a couple months ago. It's everywhere. This fiery and never-still-or-quiet-for-a-moment woman has been in pain and exhausted, struggling to stay up past 6 PM each night. She's planning her funeral, cleaning up her affairs, giving away all of her trinkets and photos.

But she has a lot of people who she wants to see one last time. Maybe she wants to say goodbye, maybe she wants to comfort us, maybe she just wants to have a memory of seeing her friends having fun around her.

So tonight we go to "Feel the Love" with my dear friend Carisa. To say goodbye, and to remember.

I pray that I can be half as strong as she is.

 

[mommasita]

I am so sorry you are going through this with your friend Kathy

She sounds like one heck of a woman, and a great friend to have. The two of you sounnd so much alike. I hope you have an enjoyable time tonight, despite the circumstances..

 

[Mskanga]

I am so sorry but happy that you are able to share that with her, that would be something I would do too.
Enjoy today......nobody knows what tomorrow will bring.

 

[TaraPA]

Wow what a strong woman - and what strong friends she has - and what a good idea to have this party. Take a lot of pictures & treasure every memory you take away from tonight.

 

[annie1995]

Your friend sounds like a remarkable woman!!!

 

[frdeb1999]

She sounds like a wonderful person.

 

[Mackey Mouse]

Wow, Kathy, you go girl and eat, dance and just give this wonderful woman the best send off that you can muster, try to keep those eyes dry, I know it will be hard. Prayers for Carisa, keep us informed..

I hate cancer.

 

[safetymom]

I agree with Mackey. Go and give your friend the time of her life. I think it is a good idea to party with friends when they are still alive. I will keep her in my prayers.

 

[antmaril]

Your friend sounds like a truly remarkable woman.

I, too, hate cancer.

 

[kathyseb]

I am in awe. What a strong person.

 

[snappy]

What a great way to celebrate life. This story is inspiring. You need to post afterwards. I bet you will have some memorable stories.

 

[Elfstar]

You and your friend are both in my prayers. She sounds like she'd like to leave everyone with great memories - God bless her!

 

[Rustysmom]

I'm so sorry about your friend.

 

[zalansky]

I am sorry about your friend also, but am so inspired by her outlook and attitude. I hope the party was as fun as it sounded it would be, despite the goodbye part of it. Thanks for sharing her with us.

 

[julm26]

What an amazing woman - I hate Cancer - hate it, hate it, hate it....