It is hard to explain why I was driven to attend the funeral of a young woman whom I had never met. I don’t understand it myself. I just knew that I must go — so I did.
I felt a little guilty for being there: a funeral crasher. I wondered what I would say if someone asked me how I knew her. Even as I sat in the church, tears rolling down my face, I had no idea what the reason was for the strong connection that I had with her. I felt like I had known her all of my life. But as the stories were told and the pictures shown, it was confirmed that I never even met her. I can only tell you that her spirit spoke to me. Simply put, I just had to be there at her funeral.
She was only 27 years old when she died. She was a teacher, a runner, and a teammate. Like Tom, her cancer was widespread by the time it was discovered. She fought hard, but lost the battle. I am saddened that I never got to know this remarkable woman. And I am truly sorry for those who did know her in this world.