(no subject)

This morning, I found out that a retired counselor passed away.  Carolyn worked with me when I started at my school.  She was a friend, a mentor, and a surrogate mom while at work.  She retired 6 years ago and would continue to substitute when one of the counselors had to be out for a few days.  About 4 years ago, she was diagnosed with breast cancer.  She fought that and it went into remission.  About six months after that, the doctors found lesions on her brain.  Since then she has been fighting brain cancer.  She was a candidate for the gamma knife, so she had numerous operations over the last three years.  She also continued to travel with her husband, including going on a cruise with friends only months ago.  She watched all of her children get married and got to play with her grandchildren.  Despite having brain cancer, she did not suffer a lot of pain, for which I am truly relieved.  She went into hospice a couple of weeks ago and died in her sleep this morning.  I've tried to stay busy today so I wouldn't break down at work.  I managed to keep it together because I know that Carolyn would want me to celebrate what she had and what she did in her life.  Although I haven't seen her much in the last couple of years, I still love her and feel her absence keenly. 
She was an amazing woman, mother, and counselor.