A friend

I had a friend who:

loved her elderly dog so much that she would carry him up two flights of stairs several times each day.

ate very cleanly, such that hot, lemon water was her beverage of choice.

looked forward to our local farmers' market as much as (if not more than) I do.

worried about me if I worked late or too hard.

attended yoga classes regularly.

was trying to learn the guitar.

liked my walnut date snacks.

kept a lovely vegetable and flower garden.

always hugged me when we stopped to chat.

retired from a long career as a therapist.

loved her children and grandchildren dearly, driving regularly to be with them.

offered to help us whenever she thought we needed it.

fed the birds in her garden.

used to be a runner.

would sometimes spend Saturday mornings reading in the park.

gave you her full attention when she was talking with you.

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I don't want to forget her.

We will be attending her memorial service today, which is strange, because I still find myself looking for her whenever I step through our front door.