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My Journey to an Emotional Easter Week-End




I can say that I am rather pleased to get back to work today after a quite emotional week-end. It has been a very long time since I cried the way I did these last few days.

As I was about to go to bed last Friday, around midnight, I received a phone call from a good friend of mine. At first I was surprised to hear the phone ring at that time. I thought it was an early long distance call as it was Saturday morning back home. I picked up the phone, and my friend on the other side of line asked me if I was sleeping already, to which I responded no. She then asked me to go to a place I could be alone. I went upstairs, and all this time my wife was asking me what was going on. I did not tell her at first (myself I did not know what was going on).

Five minutes later, she joined me upstairs to find me crying on the phone. She asked me what happened, and I broke the news: My good friend Gentille had passed away...

A few weeks ago I wrote about her in my blog. For over two years, Gentille had been fighting cancer, and we thought she had won. She was full of hope, she had tons of projects she wanted to take on, she was once again active. She was not 100% yet, but she wasn't where she used to be.

About two weeks ago, she went back to see her doctor for her regular check up, to her surprise, they told her she had to go back to the hospital. She couldn't believe it. After crying a lot, she called me to let me know about the news. I was devastated. She had to start from scratch again, for another two years. I didn't know what to say.

She went back to the hospital and we kept in touch regularly. I was supposed to go to see her on Thursday, but at the last minute I couldn't. That is my biggest regret. The next day...she was gone.
If there is a good way to die, Gentille experienced it. She had peace in her heart, she was at peace with God, she was, for a very long time, looking forward to the future...She did not know which future.

I learned so much from Gentille. She taught me how to look at the bright side in the face of adversity, one more time she reminded me that everything happens for a reason (even though we do not understand why at the moment they are happening). I learned to appreciate every moment, to live life to the fullest, and above all, cherish every moment I spend with my loved ones. We do not know what the future holds.

After I had sent her an e-mail notifying her that I could not come to visit her on Thursday, this is what she e-mailed back

“Its all good papa BOY,so r u happy??? I just wish your future kid to have a big heart just like his daddy :-) “

Few hours later...she was gone. You will be missed Gentille.

Always a pleasure

Patrick
The Journeyman
patrick@goalachieverscanada.com
www.goalachieverscanada.com

Comments

  1. Katherine HartelApril 9, 2012 at 1:40 PM

    My condolences to you Patrick...and to the family of this young woman.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Emmanuel Lopez - MotivatormanApril 12, 2012 at 1:44 PM

    So sorry to hear about your loss Patrick. I hope you are keeping happy memories of your friend and alive and well each and every day.

    ReplyDelete

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