Tuesday, August 31, 2010

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!

23 comments:

  1. I am so very sorry to hear about Kelly. She sounds like an amazing person, woman, and friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you. HUGS

    ReplyDelete
  2. I am balling my eyes out. What a touching post and a wonderful tribute to your friend. She sounds like she was an amazing person, and you are very lucky that she was in your life. :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, I am so moved by your story, thank you so much for sharing it with us. Kelly sounds like an amazing woman and friend! Blessings and prayers to you, her family and friends!

    ReplyDelete
  4. I'm so sorry for your loss. She sounds like an amazing woman. :)

    ReplyDelete
  5. 2010 has not been the best year. The diagnosis of cancer has come up, not once, but 3x this year. Yes, 3 different people with 3 different types of cancer. What are the chances?
    I'm sorry to hear about your friend Kelly. I'm glad she was able to live life and how she turned an unfortunate situation into something positive.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I so sorry to hear about your friend. She sounds like an amazing woman. Those last two years of living life wide open were a blessing. Don't doubt it for a minute. She is an inspiration to people who never met her!!! I know I am inspired. Hugs to you! xoxoxo.

    ReplyDelete
  7. how heart breaking!!!!!!! What a beautiful life..and tragic loss!!

    ReplyDelete
  8. So sorry to hear of the loss of your friend - cancer is aweful! Enjoy the celebration of her life and the positive impact that she had in life.

    ReplyDelete
  9. With tears in my eyes, I am so sorry for the loss of Kelly. She sounded like an amazing person and even though she isn't here with you physically anymore, she is the angel that is watching over you now. My prayers and thoughts are with you and Kelly's family. Hugs sweetie.

    Laura

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very sorry for your loss. Your friend was (and still is) so beautiful. I bet she was even more beautiful on the inside. Hang in there!
    http://barefootbysea.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete
  11. what a wonderful post to write about your friend. you are lucky to have known her. i lost two friends to cancer in 2009. it is a killer. your post brought back my own memories. my own wounds. let us remember them all with love and keep them in our hearts forever.

    take care of yourself kiddo.

    PS I had written this for my friend a couple of months ago (1 1/2 years after she died).

    ReplyDelete
  12. http://australianinathens.blogspot.com/2010/06/not-much-of-friend-am-i.html

    ReplyDelete
  13. I am so sorry for the lost of your friend. Cancer is a terrible disease that takes away so many of our loved ones too early in life. I pray that your friend's family finds peace and remembers what a wonderful person she was. I invite everyone to join me this year in raising money for Relay for Life. It is easy to find a relay in your area and your help may help the work find more birthdays,

    ReplyDelete
  14. I'm sooo sorry. She sounds amazing. Cancer sucks soooo bad!!!! :(

    ReplyDelete
  15. Oh hon, I'm so so sorry to hear this. Cancer is the most evil disease. It takes the best of us from us. Cancer is what needs to be pistol whipped, not our friends. Love and prayers to you girl. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  16. I am so sorry for your loss. I am crying my eyes out. I am glad that I stopped by from FMBT. I will be praying for her family and friends.

    ReplyDelete
  17. OMG My deepest condolences. As you say she is no longer in pain. She was a beautiful woman. Be thankful for what you had with her, and the wonderful memories she gave you to cherish. HUG. I to am glad I stopped by from FMBT. You both are in my prayers this eve. I'll be back again.

    ReplyDelete
  18. So very very sorry to hear of your loss. She sounded like an amazing person with a lot of spirit. I have lost too many people I love to this horrible disease. I will be keeping you along with her family in my prayers.
    Many blessings,
    Jill

    ReplyDelete
  19. She sounds like she was an amazing woman. I am sorry for the loss

    ReplyDelete
  20. Ladies, Thank you all so much for the love! Kelly was an amazing woman & friend.She was full of life, always.It really is going to be a less beautiful place without her in it.

    ReplyDelete
  21. So sorry to hear of your loss. She sounds like my kinda girl too. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  22. I am so incredibly sorry to hear about the passing of your friend. My thoughts and prayers are with you. xoxoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete

Love to hear your thoughts on my truth! Please leave some love, insight , or even disagreement with mine. I believe in free thought and speech. Happy Mothering!!