New life.

A friend of mine died two weeks ago.  She had a brain tumor.  She was 39.  She first came to me as a singing student after her diagnosis two years ago because she had always wanted to sing.

So we sang.

Despite her illness, which I knew could take her at any time, she was so full of life and love and energy that the announcement of her death really shocked me.

But I was lucky enough to get to spend the last few weeks of her life getting to know her well.

One rainy day, only three weeks ago, when we were out for our weekly coffee talk, I started my usual grumble about the weather.

She smiled at me and simply said, “Put on a hat and thank the rain.”

This morning I woke up and it was raining.  It was grey.  It was miserable.

I put on a hat and went for my morning walk in the Paleistuin (Palace garden) anyway.

Spring.  Flowers.  Birds.  Rain.

Life.

Manuela, I thank you.

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