Empty chair...

Today is the birthday of a friend who battled hard and battled strong and didn't go down without a fight.
Her heart was tender toward the 3 year olds that she taught year after year. She was a loving mom who taught her daughter to be adventurous and brave. A wife who loved with acceptance and joy. A friend who was generous and encouraging. You might think she was perfect, with her earthquake kit in her trunk and doctors appointments scheduled ahead of time but this wasn't the case. She had this thing about her...she cared way more about you than she did for her self. I visited her in the hospital, she asked about me...my day...my family. I told her I came for her, "Oh I've been talking about me all day" she said with her little bald head and a giant smile.
It's been almost 3 years since cancer took her away from this world. But today I like to think she is celebrating her birthday with her Lord and Savior, in heaven, cancer free.
Ms. Anita, this chair sits as a reminder of who you were on this earth, how you were the example of adventure and preparation, love and bravery, consideration and most of all living life now...for tomorrow is not promised.