My friend passed away on Monday

Leslie - I'm sorry to hear about your friend.   Hard to imagine passing from cancer at only 31 and how very sad for her husband and small children.  Sending cyber hugs your way [sm=angel.gif]

Leslie,  I am so sorry for the loss of your friend.  It's never easy to lose someone especially when children are involved.  Maybe you could write a letter to her kids to tell them how special she was in HS.  Might make you feel better and would be a neat way for them to get to know her when they are older. 
 
Hugs and prayers being sent your way! 

Leslie:  I'm so sorry that your friend lost her battle with that horrible, horrible disease cancer at such a young age.  The suggestion that you write her children a letter and tell them what their mom ment to you is so touching and a really good idea. Prayers going your way and also to your friends family.
Rudys Mom (Dawn)
 

((Leslie)) I'm so very sorry to hear about your friend.  There's nothing I can say or do that will take away your pain.  Just know that I know your pain & am thinking of you & your friend's family.

I had a friend who died of stomach cancer at the age of 28, i know he is in a better place and he is not suffering anymore from those horrible pains cancer gives you
 
Death is not the worst thing in the world, you just are someplece else, i know i will see my friend one day, we are going to drink a "heaven beer" and talk about old times []

I'm so sorry to hear about your friend.  []

You are in my thoughts. 

I'm so sorry Leslie.

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers.  We were really good friends in school.  Way too many stupid stunts and craziness but she was a good person.  Always full of energy.  It's so sad that I've lost touch with so many of my good friends from high school over the years.  We all tried once we went away to school, but eventually things fall apart.  Kim is the only one that didn't move an hour or more away from home.

I think the letter to her family is a great idea.  When my mom passed away, she forbade me to put announcements in the paper.  She left me her address book.  So, I dutifully called every one of those numbers to tell the people that she had died.  You would not believe the wonderful stories I heard - not one of which I would have heard had they just gotten a news clipping, or read it on the obit page.  I even talked to a couple of her WWII buddies that she had been in the WAC with.  It was an amazing experience.  You could do that for your friend's children.  Imagine them when they are older, reviewing that wonderful letter from you, holding on to great memories of their mom at their age!  []

So sorry about your friend.  {{{HUGS}}}

Leslie, that is really sad and difficult news.  It is so shocking when you are still young and someone who is your contemporary dies, especially from cancer or other disease.  I was 29 when a 26 year old friend died very suddenly from a sudden onset of illness and it was incomprehensible to me. Six weeks later, my college friend's husband of 6 months passed and 4 months later, my first serious boyfriend died at 31.  Baaaaad year.
 
Writing a letter for her family is a truly wonderful idea and gesture.  I think it will help you with closure and be treasured by them in the future.  I lost a good friend a few years ago to cancer and his only child was 2 - a friend volunteered to take letters with memories and reflections and pictures from family and friends and made a memory book that will be given to him when he is old enough to read it (likely in the next year or so). 
 
Very sorry for your loss.

I second (third or whatever number we are up to) the idea about the letter.  Even if you don't give the letter to the family right away (or give it to them at all) it might help you and your grieving. 
 
When I lost my mom in November I wrote a letter to her (and only her) and let her know how I felt about her.  I had the funeral director put it in her casket (there was NO way I could have done it myself), which hopefully it will help me in the long run.  Also, with the MANY sympothy cards we received we did get a few letters stating what a wonderful person she was and the fond memories they have of her.  It felt nice to know that so many people cared for her.  There were even a few memories that people shared that I had forgotten about!  I know I will go back and read them all at another time (probably not for months if even years), but at least I can go back and read them and remember all the good times again.

It is very hard to lose those around us that left an imprint on our hearts and our lives.  In time you will learn to live with the loss.  For now let yourself grieve...