Gratitude and Grief

My friend Holley has been living with ALS for more than two years. Holley has been a trooper through this most harrowing journey. Her sparkle and effervescence have remained publicly, but she is still human and has to face so much.

Holley is my age and I can’t help but feel robbed of yet another friend my age, as I lost my 45 and 40 year long friends Stori and Hugh, in the last little bit.

In the most Holley way she invited her friends to come to a guided gathering called Holley’s Gratitude and Grief circle. It was a chance for us to discuss our love for Holley and the situation. In the most Holley way we did a little arts and crafts session to express our gratitude. Then we were invited to stand up and talk. We all want to just about Holley to Holley.

The common theme is that Holley has always made every person she has ever met that they were the most important person in the world. It is a quality I recognize as my father was the same way, but Holley is always nice.

You can imagine that as we were each talking about and to Holley we shed more than a few tears. Although she can can no longer talk, she still communicates with her phone talking for her. Holley thanked us and gave us each a card she made. We all know there is no way out, but Holley has done everything possible for us to feel all the feelings, both grief and gratitude.

I am so grateful to call Holley a friend as she has thousands, but I also feel the grief at what comes next. With my friend’s Stori and Hugh I did not have any time to say goodbye. I am thankful to have the time to leave nothing unsaid with Holley. She is my hero. She inspires so many. Thank you dear, sweet sparkly Holley.