Tell your mates you love 'em

I have just been told one of my best mates has died. Mary was 70, which I don't consider old. Mary was one of lifes happening people. She did whatever she wanted to and generally organised the rest of the world to do the same.
When her daughter rang to tell me the news she said" I wrote her life story for her 70th birthday. After the birthday she rang me to say" I have made a few changes and it will make a great eulogy". Mary was in control till the end, she did not want anynone telling her story unless it was her way....

Mary was like my other mother and one of my best mates. This was an interesting mix. It meant I could accept the mother stuff if I wanted to and ignore it if I didn't. It also meant I had a wonderful mate with whom I shared some fantastic dinners, jokes, happy and sad times. Mary knew more of my secrets than most people.

Mary played the church music for my second marriage. When I asked her I said, "Bridesmaids might have to wear pink tulle" At the music practice (2 years ago when she was 68), she appeared wearing a pink tulle skirt and sleeves over her street clothes. That was Mary.

I don't have any regrets. We had the most wonderful dinner and sleepover just before her 70th and my 49th birthday. I emailed her just before the fateful operation which took her away.

I loved her dearly and she me. Mary had strong faith in God and would have been happy to go out on top.

I feel sad for all of us who have lost a wonderful mother, grandmother, inlaw and mate. Our lives will be sadder without Mary.