AN ANGEL TO WATCH OVER US

My dear friend, Gina B. passed away last night

surrounded by loved ones and I hear she went peacefully.

Our miracle has happened even though it is not the

one we wanted, God decided our love had suffered enough.

He knew our Gina B. was more than ready for a straight

pass to Heaven. Kind of like American Idol, she

got her gold ticket straight to Heaven.

Yet today it is comfort I am looking for because

our loss, her family's loss, all those who loved hers' loss we

cry because although we know Gina B. is in a better place

standing by the BIG MAN himself, knows all the mysteries

of the world now, we understand that until we are called

to Heaven we will not see her and that makes me really, really sad.

So today I share with all of you words from

SIMPLE ABUNDANCE BY SARAH BAN BREATHNACH

...TODAY WILL BE TOUGH FOR YOU.

YOU MAY NOT WANT THE NEXT MOMENT TO SHOW ITSELF,

TO REVEAL THE TWISTS AND TURNS OF LIFE'S MYSTERY.

BUT AT LEAST YOU HAVE IT, YOU STILL HAVE LIFE.

A CHOICE AS TO HOW YOU WILL LIVE THIS PRECIOUS DAY.

DON'T WISH IT AWAY. DON'T WASTE IT.

FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT'S HOLY, REDEEM ONE HOUR.

HOLD IT CLOSE. CHERISH IT.

ABOVE ALL, BE GRATEFUL FOR IT.

LET YOUR THANKSGIVING RISE ABOVE

THE DIN OF DISAPPOINTMENT-OPPORTUNITIES LOST,

MISTAKES MADE, THE CLAMOR OF ALL THAT

HAS YET TO COME.

AND IF TODAY IS SO HORRENDOUS

THAT THE GIFT DOESN'T SEEM WORTH ACKNOWLEDGING;

IF YOU CAN'T FIND ONE MOMENT TO ENJOY,

ONE SIMPLE PLEASURE TO SAVOR,

ONE FRIEND TO CALL, ONE PERSON TO LOVE,

ONE THING TO SHARE,

ONE SMILE TO OFFER,

IF LIFE IS SO DIFFICULT YOU DON'T WANT TO

BOTHER LIVING IT TO THE FULLEST,

THEN DON'T LIVE TODAY FOR YOURSELF.

LIVE IT FOR GINA B.

With much love to all who loved her,

to her family who I feel the need to thank for sharing their

precious gem with the rest of us,

to all my friends who are hurting as I am,

I love you and we all know Gina B. would

want us to remember the good times, not

these last few months.

I, for one, have many, many better memories to

remember my dear friend.

Make today the best you can!