Sharing our Grief

Last month I posted a poem I had written for a friend who had recently departed.  Yesterday afternoon services were held in her honor allowing us to grieve her absence in our life.  Candace Peterson-Cecil was a beautiful soul who walked her earth life for 54 years.  She was a generous person who brought a smile to most everyone she met.  It was a nice albeit difficult ceremony as Candace took her own life.  (As someone said to her husband, at least she had the courage to end her suffering.)  Many people only knew Candace as the smiling bubbly personality that they saw in public.  However, there was another persona that dealt with mental illness and substance abuse, things we do not like to talk about, but are part of our lives whether we know it or not. This only added to my love of Candace as I knew she was a real person. 

After the church service we proceeded to Tlaquepaque, where her former restaurant was located.  Local restaurants provided scrumptious food and drink and a local band of musicians played beautiful music for our listening pleasure, sharing some of her favorite rock and roll songs with us.  Through all of the sadness and tears there was a great deal of laughter and joy in telling stories and remembering our individual experiences with Candace.  It was also a time for some of us to get re-acquainted as we had not seen each other since Candace sold the Café.  Hunny and I met at the Secret Garden Cafe, so Candace was an important part of our coming together.  I am so thankful Hunny went to the services with me.  My Wonder Filled Moments were sharing my loss and grief with others while remembering a beautiful soul. 

In Gratitude,

Linda G

Part of my Secret Garden Cafe Family