As I’m writing this, my eyes are welling up with tears, because it is with heartfelt and profound sadness that I share with you the loss of one of my dearest blog pals. Renee Khan, who wrote an engaging, honest, and intimate blog (CirclingMyHead) about her long and arduous battle with cancer, passed away yesterday.

Over the past year, we both connected through reading each other’s blogs and I have never felt a friendship like this from someone I have never met in person. I still carry around the Christmas card that she sent me, and the artwork from her friend, Tessa Edwards, that she sent me hangs in a place of honor in my home.

My connection to the blogosphere is certainly darker today because her continuous written words are now silent, but I find solace knowing that what she has written is still out there. Those who have been affected by cancer, whether personally or have family members who are fighting this disease, may still stumble across her blog and read her sage words of wisdom.

Some of my followers also followed Renee, and if you are reading this please take a moment of silence to remember her and keep her and her family in your thoughts and prayers.

Oh, and Renee, if you’re able to read this in some spiritual way...I’m turning my head to the side, lifting my left eyebrow, pursing my lips and giving you ‘the look’. (It’s a private joke between us.)

I’ll see you on the other side, my Sweet.
_________

Here are Renee's words on how she described herself. I think this says it all:

Renee – A to Z
A = Age (53 years old)

B = Bed size (Queen)

C = Chore you hate (cleaning a turkey pan)

D = Dog (unfortunately do not have one)

E = Essential to start your day (cancer medications)

F = Favourite colour (butter yellow)

G = Gold (wedding rings)

H = Height (5 feet)

I = I’ve come to learn (love)

J = Judge (there but for the grace of God go I)

K = Kids (Angelique, Nadalene, and Nathan)

L = Living (the best way I can)

M = Mood (angry)

N = Nicknames (Lover and Pudd)

O = Owl (family totem)

P = Peeve (ingratitude)

Q = Quote (There are many paths to the same God.)

R = Reckless (never)

S = Siblings (eight sisters and four brothers)

T = Time you wake up (7:20)

U = Unhappy (less often than happy)

V = Vegetable you ate last (green beans and tomato)

W = Want (Jacquie to regain motion)

X = Xenophobic (no way)

Y = Yearn (to have a conversation with Sheldon)

Z = Zealous (over my family)