I tiptoe ‘round this post like the exhausted mother of an at long-last sleeping baby. Afraid to wake what lies before me…fearful I won’t be able to give what it needs.
Death, after all, is a needy subject. Never far away. Never a maybe. Never forgotten. And somehow, it still manages to leave us reeling. To rip us out of that place where we believed we were safe. Sometimes with nothing more than what seems a moment’s notice.
I lost a friend on Saturday. It was someone I hadn’t seen since high school. Someone who, before the last seven years, I’d only thought of maybe a handful of times. But, because of present day oddities, we were somehow very connected. Through social media, such as facebook, we were, what classifies as friends, before she passed.
We’d sent each other several private messages upon our initial encounter, reminiscing about our high school days and catching up on what was, at the time, our current lives. She told me that she was the happiest she’d ever been, having overcome some tough times and being in love with, what she deemed was, “…the best guy that ever walked this earth.”
And admittedly, that’s probably where it would have ended for us. Much like many, we both had hundreds of facebook “friends” and the extent of our relationship would have existed on the wings of a fluttering like or comment here and there.
Except Gina turned out to be one of the most positive posters I’d ever come across. Everything she wrote happened to be the silver lining in a grey cloud, should you find yourself fogged in. Her energy was addictive and I’d roll over and rub my eyes just to start the day with her perspective.
This didn’t change when she was diagnosed with brain cancer on June 1st, 2012.
She was generous enough to share what was the privacy of her fight with people – many I’m sure like me – not even a part of her inner circle. Her positivity not only continued, but was bolstered by an exasperating battle and her commitment, not to simply beat the disease, but to remain optimistic and inspirational to all those around her, never faltered.
Not once.
As I mentioned, I’m on tiptoes, terrified not to do justice to the power of death. To fail to give proper credit to Gina and what she so selflessly sacrificed so that we could learn.
There’s certain valor in accepting what eventually becomes an inevitable destination, but the real courage lies in how you walk the road. True wisdom is knowing you’ve trudged long enough, but the maturity to say good-bye is the bravest thing of all.
Gina Covey
March 26th, 1970 ~ February 1st, 2014
visit your blog, read an interesting article. thank you friends for sharing and greetings compassion 🙂
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Thank you for your visit.
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You did Gina proud Hazy! She was a brave soul. 😥
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Thanks, mum. And yes, she was amazingly brave.
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Very well said Alana. I too, would wake up to read Gina’s most positive posts. Gina lived life so happy and positive, so that is what I shall do too! Thanks Gina for reminding me of what’s important in life.
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Yes, she was an unbelievably positive example. We all have a lot to be thankful for.
Thank you so much for commenting, Alana.
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What a wonderful reflection of your friend’s life! I’m so sorry for your loss.
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Thank you so much for coming by, Angel. I appreciate your comment.
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What an a amazing woman. I’m so sorry for your loss and her family’s loss 😦
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Thanks Dianne. Such a tough thing. Her poor family. 😦
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Very nice Alana. I shared the same type of experience with her. Played ball when we were little, casually kept in touch via FB, and then watched her battle bravely and inspire others (myself included.)
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Amazing how many can be touched through strength and positivity. Thanks for reading, Alison.
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I’m sorry to hear about your loss.
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Thanks, Adam.
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You did the subject justice and then some, Hazy. Beautifully expressed – your friend would be proud of the spirit that shines through your words.
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Thank you, Francis. I wish she was around to read it. She was a happy, brave soul. Peace…
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I too was a friend of Gina’s,I haven’t really seen her since high school and we were friends on facebook. She was an amazing person and your words were very heartfelt and moving. You summed up how I felt about her as well. She was a brave inspiring woman who will be missed by many.
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I’m happy my intentions came through. She was definitely amazing. Thank you for reading and commenting.
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Thank you for writing about Gina. I am in the same boat as you, and I am so very glad that at least a few of us were able to visit with Gina this last summer at our 25 year reunion.
❤
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She was a lovely person. Gone way too soon. Thanks for reading, Nicci. 🙂
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Thank you for writing that I am so glad she touched you.
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Struan – I’m very thankful that you came by during what I know has to be one of the hardest times of your life. I really appreciate you reading my words and taking the time to comment.
I am so very sorry for your loss and I wish you peace and contentment.
~ Alana
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Gina is an amazing soul that left a little colour on everyone she touched. Your words are honest and beautiful and Im sure she’s smiling along!
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I hope so, Tanja. If only I could’ve let her read it before she passed. A reminder it’s important to let people know they’re wonderful before it’s too late.
Thank you so much for dropping by and leaving a comment.
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Very nice tribute and what an attitude. Thanks for introducing her spirit.
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That’s what it’s all about – helping people live on, be remembered. I’ve recently experienced a positive side to facebook that I hadn’t thought of previously. All her posts, all her words are immortalized. It is such a beautiful thing for her family and friends to be left with.
Thank you, PC.
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So true. I lost a dear friend a few months ago and cherished her Facebook page which her family keeps alive through occasional photos and memories of her.
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I’m so sorry for you loss, PC. Yes, fb is good for some things.
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Very timely–thanks–James
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Hi Jim – I’m hoping it’s not timely for you in the sense that cancer is affecting your world somehow. Peace…
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So sorry to read about the loss of your friend. Cancer is such a horrible thing. My condolences.
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Yes, it really is. Thanks, Phil.
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Bless you for your beautiful and kind words. Gina was in fact a truly beautiful soul. I also had been friends with her since a young age, but unfortunately I had deactivated my fb and I had no clue that she had passed until after the celebration of her life.
I did however see her and sit with her and mom at the funeral of a mutual friends father. My biggest regret was learning (afterwards) that she had been in a hospice which was so close to where I am living. I only wish I could have come and seen her just one last time.
I am so very glad that her fb page remains up, as I visit there often.. and am able to see her beautiful pictures and of course read her inspirational messages.
She is truly missed by so many… I only wish that we had never heard of the term ‘cancer’, and that Gina was still among the living.
Life is so precious and completely unpredictable.
Thank you again for your beautiful tribute here. As I often search for Gina on the net… and today I found your post through my Google search.
Sending much love to you, to Gina.. and to all those who got to know and love her as we did.
What a privilege to know such a beautiful soul… I pray that Heaven is as beautiful as I imagine, and that Gina is smiling down on us all and bringing smiles to those who are in need. up there AND down here.
Xox
Elaine
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