Patty

I don't believe there is ever a right time to say goodbye to someone you love though it's something we all must do at some point... Patty, I know the time has come for us to part for a while, and even though I'm not ready for it, I will try.

I promise you I will keep your spirit alive in every moment I spend with your daughter, and I will make sure she knows every single silly moment we have shared together.

Thank you for going out of your way to be my friend when I made it so difficult. I'm not sure why I was so fortunate to have you pick me, but I know you changed me forever, and a million thank yous would never be enough.

Thanks for all of the late night homework while Aspen ran around without a diaper, and for sitting with me for hours, and days on end in the hospital when we fought to keep Autumn with us here on earth. You kept telling me, it's not her time.

Thanks for those 4 hour drives, never knowing if you (or me for that matter) would have a place to sleep and where I would call home. How could I have managed to keep my faith in God during that year Tom and I divorced if you hadn't continued to tell me, You can do this, it's the right time to make this change.

Thanks for letting me be there for you. Do you know, during the times when I couldn't see that I made an ounce of difference in anyone Else's life, you would lean on me and tell me how much you needed me. In those very moments, you gave me reason to continue to push forward. I always needed you more than you needed me, you just didn't know it.

Thank you for all those debates when we would argue till early in the morning because we just wouldn't quit until each of us could see the other person's side, or we were just too tired to give a crap anymore.

Last weekend when I saw you, you were so happy. I got to see that smile on your face that has been missing for a little while. The changes going on in your life gave you hope for you, and for how it would change the future you, Pat and Shawna. I'm so glad I got to tell you I love you one more time and make you hug me, even though I know you hate those displays of affection.

Patty, I'm not going to tell you I won't shed a few more tears about our parting before I can come to terms with you leaving here so soon. I will say goodbye though, and will keep the faith as you did, that there is purpose in every thread god weaves for us. I will do my best to keep a strong front for your family, as you did, and will keep you close to me in every cow trinket I see, every trip to Ikea, and everytime someone kicks my butt in scrabble. I love you very much my dear, wonderful friend. Goodbye.