Another one to cancer.

Today I got word that you died.

You left the world ravaged by cancer.

Your body was not your own anymore.

How you left was on your terms.

You said no more to the chemo and no more to the feeling sick.

You said you wanted to stop and let the dying take its course.

Those around you were pissed you weren't fighting.

Fight, fight, fight.

But this is your life and your body and you got to decide.

I will remember you taking me into your home and always making every meal an experience with fruit not just in a bowl but a cute little ramekin.

I will remember how you loved to try and control your daughter, one of my best friends, and get her to stop doing just about anything you didn't like.

Nice try.

Don't you know she is from you and she is just as headstrong? That cigarette isn't coming out of her mouth until she decides she wants it to.

I will remember how you were the best at making a house a home. There was no better looking interior than one decorated by you.

I will remember your love of English literature and how you passed that love along to your daughter.

I will remember how you always had the perfect outfit for every occasion as your body was a canvas just like your home was, too.

I will remember your competitive side.

You wouldn't give up without a fight and you knew lots of tricks to make it go in your favor. You were one savvy lady.

I will remember how fiercely you loved your daughter.

She was everything to you.

Even when you didn't know what to do or say and when you got it all wrong, it was from a place of the deepest love you had inside that heart of yours.

You left this world telling her to be happy and love herself.

I will make sure I channel your determination and fierce loyalty to make that happen.

Rest in peace, PD.