Goodbye my friend

This is was my friend Kelly. She was like a big sister to me when we worked together a million 18 years ago. She was the kind of girl you want to be. She was free spirited, nothing kept her down, she was comfortable in any situation, more importantly she was comfortable in her own skin. She was the kind of friend who would build you up and knock out anyone who ever tried to knock you down. In Chicago we call that scrappy with a twist of cool. I remember being 18 and her talking me into buying urging telling me to get 'em I deserved them  $200 boots because they were "MUST HAVE". She was a little older and obviously wiser so I did and they were by far the coolest item I owned at the time. She made me take risks but made me accountable for what I did. She helped me grow from a girl to a woman. I loved her like crazy!
Time passed, I moved, we lost touch; as life does to people. But we found each other on FB. When I found her, I also found out about her amazing story that was taking place. Only our Kelly would say that being mugged and shot was a blessing because it caused them to find her ovarian cancer. It was pretty amazing that an unexpected visit to the ER would be what could possibly save her life.She began treatment. She and I reconnected. Last I heard, a few months ago, Kelly was cancer free. The chemo had done the trick and Kelly was out there living her life. You had to know Kelly Mulqueeny, you could not stop this woman from living. If anything, cancer pissed her off and she was out to make it her bitch. She was gallivanting all over the globe, she had an amazing relationship, she was making plans, and more importantly LIVING life and ENJOYING IT! I was thrilled. I thought soon I will make a trip to have lunch with my friend
Today, I received a FB message from Kelly; Subject: Kelly's Final Arrangements. My jaw hit the desk, my eyes teared up, my throat choked closed and my mind went blank. My beautiful friend, who was once like my big sister, lost the battle  on August 26,2010 to the shitty disease that she found while in the hospital for a pistol whipping and gunshot wound. A mugging may not have saved her life, but it did prolong it and she lived those extra 2 years surrounded by great friends who loved her, doing things she enjoyed with the man she loved. I will miss you Kelly. You will always be a part of my heart. I am so glad that you are finally out of pain. Heaven better watch out because they have no idea what kind of party's coming to town!