For Claire

We said goodbye to a friend today. She went to high school with OilMan We rarely saw her after they all left high school, until we started coming regularly to Sonoma County in 2008, but every year we got a beautiful Christmas Card with pictures of her family. We felt we knew them all as children got bigger and grandchildren began appearing in the annual photo. We've gotten to know her better in the last few years  and have enjoyed her love of her family, laughter, friendship rich handmade desserts of her own and a good cocktail….

She died of lung cancer last week after a very short illness…a blessing for her but devastating for her family. We went to her funeral today to say goodbye and, as inevitably happens, to reflect on our own mortality. 
We were handed a prayer card as we entered the church:

If I should die and leave you here a while, be not like others, sore, undone, who keep long vigil by the silent and dost weep. For my sake, turn again to life and smile, nerving thy heart and trembling hand to do that which will comfort other souls than thine. Complete these dear unfinished tasks of mine, and I, perchance, may therein comfort you.

The funeral was at the beautiful church at  St Vincent's School for Boys, where Claire was a volunteer godmother to at -risk boys in this residential school which began in 1the 1850's as an orphanage. We have passed it on the freeway for fifty years or more, often wondering about it...For the first time today we turned off the freeway and drove along an entrance road between a border of enormous eucalyptus trees,  emerald green fields and brilliant blue sky….far too beautiful a day to be greeted by a hearse. 

We will miss you, Claire.   Requiēscat in pãce.