Life is funny like that...

As you all know, my very close friend Niamh was in a car accident at 3 am this last Sunday, and did not make it. I flew home on Tuesday so that I could be here for her family. Last night I went to the rosary/visitation and saw her parents, and today I went to her funeral. I got to walk down and lead her casket along with some of her other close friends and place a flower in this thing. Today was by far, the hardest day that I have ever had to live through. There are not words to describe the pain that fills up my heart right now. For her, for her family, for her brother, for her friends. It was so good to see that so many people came to support and remember her today. Old friends, old soccer coaches, old class mates. Even her family from Ireland flew in. She was so so loved, and that really showed today. After the funeral we went her burial at Singing Hills, which is absolutely beautiful, her parents could not have picked a more perfect place to lay her to rest. And here is where we get to the part about life being funny... I got in a car accident on the freeway on my way over to the burial. Ironic? It was actually a 9 car pile up, which my parents and sisters were also in, but I was not in the same car as them. But the good news is that no one was hurt. And I am sure Niamh was looking down on us and just laughing her ass off;) Anyways, we got the burial a little bit late, but in time enough so that I could say my farewells and talk to her family. Every time I saw her Dad it just broke my heart. You see, Niamh's Dad is like my second Dad. He took me on trips with them, and has always just treated me like I was a part of the family. He even calls me his surrogate daughter:) I love her family from the bottom of my heart, and even with Niamh gone will still see them as often as I can. I promised. I was also actually forced by her Dad to promise that I will not knock on the door when I come over, that I will just walk in. I believe his exact words were: " I swear Brooke, if you knock on the door I will kick your ass!" And he is a large Irish man , so I don't think I really want to take any chances there;) After the burial Mom, Dad, and I went to a smaller little gathering for close family and friends and it was really nice to just visit with people. I sat with my good friend/neighbor Steve and we just talked forever about Niamh, and funny things she did, and silly stories, and just everything. It was good to be able to laugh after a whole day of crying. All in all, today was a sad day, and a day I will never ever ever forget. I will miss my friend more than anything in the world and no one will ever replace her. I can't believe that she is really gone. Who is gonna jean shop with me now!?! I love her with every inch of my body, and she will always be on my mind and in my heart. Rest peacefully Niamh.