Please don’t flame me. I am opening up in search of understanding and maybe some support.
One of my neighbours has recently passed away. Not only was she a neighbour, our husbands worked together and are good friends.
Although I liked this lady, we were definitely friends through circumstance. Our characters are so very different, and (I am being honest here) I didn’t always see eye to eye on some of her quite right wing views.
I could always spend time in her company though and as a result of our paths crossing in multiple way, I spent a lot of time with this lady.
She was unwell for some time, and leaves behind two teenage sons, which is heartbreaking.
I have not dealt with death much in my life, but I am finding it hard to find words to write in a book of condolences that is being created for her sons to keep. I know I need to put a message in, but I struggle a little with some of the other messages from mutual friends, describing this lady in ways that are so different to who she was, within the book. I don’t feel I can write something that gushes the way the other messages do. It wouldn’t be authentic. Equally, I do want to write something heartfelt.
I feel like a bad person for the fact I am finding this hard. What is wrong with me? I am absolutely devastated for our friend, and the whole family, especially her poor children. I want to write something meaningful but not false and not quite sure how to put something on paper that will be appreciated by her family.