One of my best friends passed away this past Wednesday. She was diagnosed with colon cancer in January of 2003. She fought until her body couldn't handle it anymore. She will be missed and she taught me to appreciate life. I know that not of all you were fortunate enough to know her so I'm posting the speech I delivered at her funeral just so that you can see what a truly wonderful person she was.
Andrea the Saint
I’m not sure what legally makes someone a saint. I don’t even think we have saints in Judaism. The last time I went to Sunday school was almost twenty years ago when I was able to get up on Sundays before two in the afternoon. I couldn’t tell you exactly what makes someone a saint in the religious sense of the word. I’m not familiar with Christianity but I know what makes someone a saint in the human sense. A saint leaves an impression, a mark on others. A saint teaches and guides you through tough times. A saint loves and shows you how to love yourself. A saint can make you laugh. A saint wipes away your tears after a good cry. And a saint holds your hair back on prom night when you’ve had one too many.
I’m fortunate enough to have come across a saint. When I was seven years old, on a bright September day I stepped into the second grade. More like I fell into the second grade. I was the new kid and painfully shy. There was someone on the playground that day with a glowing halo. She introduced herself and we became fast friends. Throughout the years my saint watched over me and everyone around her. Those of you who’ve had the privilege of spending time with my saint know of her powers.
In the ninth grade my saint and I emceed our school’s dance show. She radiated on that stage, her divinity shining for all to see. And not to mention, girl was hilarious.
When my saint fell ill I was beside myself. How can someone so strong be overtaken by something so weak? Over the years my saint had shown me how to fight. She taught me to see the world in ways I’d never imagined. I had to be strong for my saint. But it was her in turn who was strong for me. Her body weakened but never her spirit. My saint grew tired but she displayed more courage and determination each day.
There are two people who helped shape my saint. Without them she would not be the celestial being that she is. First there is Matthew who I’ve watched grow from the annoying kid brother who bothered my saint and I when we were playing Barbies, to the strong young man he has become. And then there is Lesley to whom I am forever indebted to. Not because when I was little you were the first adult I ever heard cussing but because you are a rock. You exude confidence and courage and I am honoured to call you a friend. Both you and Matthew have made my saint the beautiful heavenly creature she is and we are all blessed because of you.
I searched through the entire Radiohead catalogue, as I know my saint loved Radiohead, to find the perfect lyric to close my speech. Unfortunately their lyrics about being creeps and hating George W. Bush won’t do the trick. I did however stumble upon something written by the late Jeff Buckley that I feel sums up the love I have for my saint, Andrea Louise Elder: “Just hear this and then I’ll go. You gave me more to live for, more than you’ll ever know.”
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