Dear Jackie,
Thank you for being a great friend.
For having me to your apartment for a luncheon,
for helping me continue making some big changes in my life.
For talking to me on the phone when I was sad,
for giving me advice about how to find volunteer work.
For your laughs and your smiles,
and your way of always looking on the bright side of things.
You never talked about your own problems --
that's why I didn't realize at first that you were so sick.
How I hoped that we could meet this January at the Red Lobster,
as you had suggested.
Just a little thing, but I remember the way you said you loved their clam chowder,
just as I loved their trout.
How I hope that we can still meet again someday when you are feeling better.
But in the meantime, I remember the last time I saw you,
Giving us a ride back to the hotel after the Sunday dinner at the DC Slash Bash.
I'm so glad that you were able to take that three-day weekend off
and enjoy being with all of us while you could.
Please know how much I am thinking of you now.