It is the end of the day - and the end of a battle.

I've been wandering aimlessly for the last four hours. That's because four hours ago I learned that a friend of ours, whom we have known for 24 years, who was fighting cancer, lost her battle. She passed away this morning, at home surrounded by her husband and grown children.

I can only sit in silence. I'm listening to the sounds of spring peepers and the rain. Only nature can comfort me now. She and her husband both come from very large families, so I imagine they are being overloaded with phone calls and making arrangements.

Helen was made of pixiedust. A wonderful mom, wife and friend, who was taken way too young. With her red hair and Irish heritage, she was part leprachaun. She was always smiling and laughing.

Be alive now. Don't wait. Risk caring. Risk loving. Risk giving. Risk sharing.