Losing For Good

Losing someone close to you is hard. But if it means they are finally free from the pains of mortal life it makes it a little less hard. We cry because we miss them. We smile because we are happy for them. It is hard to see someone go but almost harder to see them suffer for so long.
Someone really close to me passed away today. She was like my other mother, I even called her mom. She was one of my best friends. I could talk to her about anything and everything and she always knew just what to say and didn't judge. She listened and gave great advice. She worked hard and fought harder. She had strong beliefs. She gave all she had to who ever needed it. She served everyone. She was a friend to all. She let me be a part of her family. I felt like her kids were my siblings and her grandkids were my nieces and nephews. We all loved like we were really family. I regret drifting so far away recently. I got too caught up in my own life. I told myself I was too busy and didn't have time. I knew she was sick so I convinced myself I didn't want to see her like that. Every time that still small voice tells you to do something over and over and you don't listen you end up kicking yourself for it later. If I would have just listened. I talked to her on Tuesday over text. She said she was too sick and I couldn't come that day. I text her on Thursday. She never responded. I didn't want to bother her. She passed away around 2 this morning. Since I've known her, which is just about 5 years, she has been battling cancer. She had it longer than that, about a year before I met her she was diagnosed. She had a very very rare kind of cancer that only 2 other people in the US have. All of her treatments were experimental. They all seemed to work, at first but it always came back. It came back stronger and she fought harder. She never gave up. She suffered a lot and complained very little. She worked hard even when she was in lots of pain and I only saw her cry once.
She taught me a lot of life lessons. She taught me when to stand up for myself. She taught me to stay strong to your beliefs. She taught me about relationships. She taught me about being a mom. She taught me how to pay attention to detail and work hard and clean well. She gave me so much and I will miss her so much.
Elsie Kay Gates Roundy who always went by Kay will always be remembered. Kay, thank you for all you gave me. I will always keep you in my heart and always love you.