She was my hero, Joyce. Like one of those people you read about on the internet but I knew her in real life. There was nothing she couldn’t do, so much spirit. Such a privilege.
Julie, I was just writing a piece for another Substack about my faith and mentioned the passing of my best friend, to cancer, when we were both 49. I didn't cry.
I basically cried through your lovely piece here. I 100% relate to everything you said. My friend lived for heaven while on earth. She was full of joy. We would lay in her bed with the words "f cancer" pasted to the ceiling, as she rubbed her legs and I got her tea. Her death sentence was one year and to the day she passed with so many beautiful people surrounding her and singing her favorite songs. Her daughter and mine just celebrated 35 together in New York City. They were besties from the wombs of us. She has three other grown children. Never met her grandchildren. She left me knowing it's best to live like Louise. or Peggy. ox
Heartbreaking. I've been a surrogate mum of many mums surrounding her four - but there is always a gaping hole. Although I watched them all struggle, life is turning to more joy, more color as they find full lives. Delayed, but full. ox
We always think we have time. Such a precious gift. My beautiful husband left this earth on the 26th May after being diagnosed with non hodgkin's lymphoma a few months earlier. Never enough time for all you need to say.
You’ve written her a beautiful tribute. I’m glad you have the April memory and made it to meet that day. I notice that you spread joy to her, too, by making it a dress-up occasion.
How moving. As we all must do, she has shed the costume and opened up the stage door, stepping into the light, with the realisation that all that seemed important on that stage is of little consequence.
I’ve some personal stuff happened and also read quite extensively on NDEs. Many are completely validating of things witnessed in other places whilst an out of body experience is underway when brain dead. Fascinating and reassuring.
Julie. It’s not like I knew Louise or could ever fathom what she truly meant to you, but within 20 sentences of your beautiful words, I’m crying. Not for you, or her - but for everyone who has ever experienced loss or ever will - in a heartfelt response to the feeling of interconnectedness that your words invoke. “Swollen with Calm” is an incredible way to use just three words to convey our ability to contain both pain and joy without bursting. To bear our crosses and carry on.
Thank you. I bet you meant a fuck of a lot to her too.
This is a piece too beautifully stunning for words, only immense gratitude for sharing a window into this slice of two beyond beautiful human hearts. ❤️❤️
I'm so sorry for your loss, Julie. You write so beautifully about your friend and your feelings, the way you are afraid to hug her too tight, that butterfly image. I lost a good friend to cancer last year, she also taken too soon. But those last talks wit her were precious. I wrote about it here too. It helps to write about these things, in memory of them, and our love for them. Sending hugs.
I'm so sorry to hear about your lovely friend. She sounds like an awesome person, too good for this world. It reminded me of losing one of my oldest friends last year, just when I was about to message him to see if he was up for a visit. A visit that never happened because it was too late. Never put anything off, life is too damn short. I hope Louise is having a wonderful time now she is at peace. Sending love. xx
She was such an inspiration in sickness and in health. Her children will have such memories of the wonderful life she gave them, the role model she was.
I first wrote about Louise here
https://open.substack.com/pub/juliedee/p/on-she-goes?r=1c4b56&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
So very sorry, Julie. It’s hard that the kindest people seem to go first while some nasties keep going on. Take care 🙏💙
She was my hero, Joyce. Like one of those people you read about on the internet but I knew her in real life. There was nothing she couldn’t do, so much spirit. Such a privilege.
And such a loss 💔 May her memory become a blessing 🙏💙
Julie, I was just writing a piece for another Substack about my faith and mentioned the passing of my best friend, to cancer, when we were both 49. I didn't cry.
I basically cried through your lovely piece here. I 100% relate to everything you said. My friend lived for heaven while on earth. She was full of joy. We would lay in her bed with the words "f cancer" pasted to the ceiling, as she rubbed her legs and I got her tea. Her death sentence was one year and to the day she passed with so many beautiful people surrounding her and singing her favorite songs. Her daughter and mine just celebrated 35 together in New York City. They were besties from the wombs of us. She has three other grown children. Never met her grandchildren. She left me knowing it's best to live like Louise. or Peggy. ox
Yes,my friend leaves two children 12 and 10
💔
Sadly, too many of us know someone lost to cancer, hey?
It’s lovely your daughters have the same special friendship you had xx
Heartbreaking. I've been a surrogate mum of many mums surrounding her four - but there is always a gaping hole. Although I watched them all struggle, life is turning to more joy, more color as they find full lives. Delayed, but full. ox
We always think we have time. Such a precious gift. My beautiful husband left this earth on the 26th May after being diagnosed with non hodgkin's lymphoma a few months earlier. Never enough time for all you need to say.
May their light shine forever.
Nice tribute.
Wow that’s brutal Debbie. We just never know what’s on the cards do we?Sending you love. Xx
What a beautiful honest tribute Julie ❤️
Thank you x
You’ve written her a beautiful tribute. I’m glad you have the April memory and made it to meet that day. I notice that you spread joy to her, too, by making it a dress-up occasion.
Thank you. Yes, although she is gone, I will try and keep her spirit alive by spreading kindness x
How moving. As we all must do, she has shed the costume and opened up the stage door, stepping into the light, with the realisation that all that seemed important on that stage is of little consequence.
Thank you. Yes, I always try to keep an open mind as to what (if anything) happens next. I think there must be something but as for what I’ve no clue.
I’ve some personal stuff happened and also read quite extensively on NDEs. Many are completely validating of things witnessed in other places whilst an out of body experience is underway when brain dead. Fascinating and reassuring.
Julie. It’s not like I knew Louise or could ever fathom what she truly meant to you, but within 20 sentences of your beautiful words, I’m crying. Not for you, or her - but for everyone who has ever experienced loss or ever will - in a heartfelt response to the feeling of interconnectedness that your words invoke. “Swollen with Calm” is an incredible way to use just three words to convey our ability to contain both pain and joy without bursting. To bear our crosses and carry on.
Thank you. I bet you meant a fuck of a lot to her too.
Some feelings manage to be both personal and universal at the same time, hey?’ Love and grief come as a pair.
So sad but so lovely and inspiring. You sure have a beautiful way with words Julie.
Thanks, Steve. So weird I’ll never see her again.
Just how it goes 💔
Hope you’re taking care of yourself x
This is a piece too beautifully stunning for words, only immense gratitude for sharing a window into this slice of two beyond beautiful human hearts. ❤️❤️
I appreciate that. I am glad my sincerity and awe comes across. I didn’t see her that often but she really was dear to me ❤️
It truly does Julie, clearly she made an imprint on your heart. I’m so deeply touched at the way you honored her.
So, so touching. She sounded like a star, I hope she forever shines bright in your mind and your heart, and wherever shes gone to next.
Yes, me too. ❤️And I hope her values carry forward via other people who loved her xx
Ahhh I'm sorry to hear this Julie. So young and just so sad 🥺🩷 xx
Thanks lovely xx
I'm so sorry for your loss, Julie. You write so beautifully about your friend and your feelings, the way you are afraid to hug her too tight, that butterfly image. I lost a good friend to cancer last year, she also taken too soon. But those last talks wit her were precious. I wrote about it here too. It helps to write about these things, in memory of them, and our love for them. Sending hugs.
It really does touch so many lives doesn’t it? An awful disease.
She was such an inspiration.
I’m sorry it happened to your friend too. xx
I won't 'like' it because that seems wrong. 43. Jesus. That's no age to be dying.
Yes. 2 young kids 10 and 12💔
Heartbreaking Julie
I'm so sorry to hear about your lovely friend. She sounds like an awesome person, too good for this world. It reminded me of losing one of my oldest friends last year, just when I was about to message him to see if he was up for a visit. A visit that never happened because it was too late. Never put anything off, life is too damn short. I hope Louise is having a wonderful time now she is at peace. Sending love. xx
Yeah you just never know when the ‘last time’ is gonna be, do you?
Since she’d moved back and was living in the next town I really did think I’d see her again.
Yes, whatever happens when we die,
I hope she’s acing it x
I'm so sorry to hear about your friend. I remember you writing about her. She sounds like a lovely person who lived life to the full. X
She was such an inspiration in sickness and in health. Her children will have such memories of the wonderful life she gave them, the role model she was.