A friend of mine died last May.
She knew she was dying and every breath
she forced from her battered lungs
only brought her closer to the end.
She was always there for her friends
And always willing to talk
And make your tears go away
By replacing the pain in your heart
With some of her joy.
In the end, I think it was her courage to share
That brought her end more quickly.
But being her, she could do no less.
Five feet tall, 86 pounds of wasted body.
I wonder if I would have the courage
To pour myself out so freely.
I wonder if I would hoard my breath
Or use it to laugh and make others laugh.
I wonder if I would ever have such courage.
I wonder if I would have so much love.
Peggie in Better Days taken by a friend
kanzen sakura 
Jan 27, 2016 @ 18:33:54
My condolences. Peggy certainly lived and died courageously. It takes courage to love.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 21:42:21
Thank you. And she did truly love….
Jan 27, 2016 @ 18:50:20
How lucky you were to have such a friend. I am so sorry for your loss. The message for me is to appreciate a person like this while they are still alive. Too often it takes a death for real appreciation to sink in.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 21:41:57
I am glad that before she died, she knew how much I loved her and thought she was the “cat’s meow” as she woud sometimes laughingly comment and used as a tagline on her blog. And it is true, let people know. One day they are here, the next they are beyond our touch.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 19:48:46
I miss her. And Bill. Love to you my friend. ❤
Jan 27, 2016 @ 19:54:13
Bill was such a wonderful gentleman. I miss him so much. Peggie was so special to me. I think the shortest conversation was a week before she died – four hours. Her beloved Ella and Elby were adopted by friends and are well and loved.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 19:59:39
❤ ❤ ❤
The pillow she had shipped to me felt all lumpy this weekend. I took it apart and found the gel pack inside was bunched. I fixed it, zipped it up and remembered again she'd gone to the post office to courier it out. I had no idea at the time how much physical energy this took for her.
Thanks for the memories, Kanzen. ❤
Jan 27, 2016 @ 20:12:20
Our prompt was courage…She immediately came to mind…I miss her so
Jan 27, 2016 @ 23:22:40
❤ ❤ ❤ Peggy was indeed more generous than anyone needed to be. I do too.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 23:24:16
I love you Tess.
Jan 28, 2016 @ 13:02:43
The feeling is mutual dear heart. ❤
Jan 27, 2016 @ 20:11:58
This brings tears…reminds me so much of a friend that we lost…she was always smiling.
This:
“replacing the pain in your heart
With some of her joy.”
Beautiful write, Toni.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 20:13:39
Thank you Hannah. It doesn’t do her justice
Jan 27, 2016 @ 20:54:34
You made me feel your loss, and also brought to mind how many I’ve seen struggle with COPD and how very hard it is to go through and to witness.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 21:40:01
I have lost three people whom I loved this past year to COPD. So cruel a disease. We can heal so much. In my heart there is bitterness that we cannot heal this.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 21:05:12
I know you have written about Peggy before; and I think it is very special that you honor her with this poem. I do understand that kind of courage…that it wasn’t easy for her…that she was a good friend until the end!
Jan 27, 2016 @ 21:38:54
I miss her everyday because everyday, I have things to tell her…I started a journal: Things I want to say to Peggie. Even in heaven, she shares my amazement.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 21:23:01
Extremely moving I felt this. A beautiful testimony of her life♡
Jan 27, 2016 @ 21:37:32
Thank you.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 21:58:41
Beautifully expressed. Moving.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 23:11:20
The courage of the dying always blows me away, for the reason stated in your closing line….to have that much love. She sounds like an amazing woman. I loved this poem. She was a heroic 86 pounds.
Jan 27, 2016 @ 23:17:47
She was truly my heart. I miss her everyday.
Jan 28, 2016 @ 05:46:46
I m soo sorry for your loss Toni, please accept my deepest condolences.. this is a very touching tribute to her. Big hugs to you.
Jan 28, 2016 @ 06:31:28
Oh I do remember the haiku you wrote for her… a perfect legacy, maybe we all have more courage inside than we think…. but still we can just admire such braveness
Jan 28, 2016 @ 09:02:38
What a wonderful and honest tribute – some people have so much courage in the face of adversity..it is to be respected
Jan 28, 2016 @ 11:37:35
Most of us have more courage than we are aware of. Sometimes, tragically, it takes a devastating situation to bring that courage into the light.
Jan 28, 2016 @ 14:58:22
I am grateful I sensed her bravery and open heart at the beginning and that we became friends. And we do have more inside of us than we realize, until we have to.
Jan 28, 2016 @ 23:30:01
I think that much love and courage is rare indeed!
Jan 29, 2016 @ 00:55:56
It may be but it always amazes me the courage and depths of love people pull out and pour from themselves. Miraculous.
Jan 29, 2016 @ 01:40:36
this is such a moving poem Toni…so sorry for your loss…it’s devastating to lose a true friend who always brought joy into others’ life…you’ve beautifully honored this brave soul….
Jan 29, 2016 @ 08:02:05
She certainly is the epitome of courage. Touched me deeply!
Feb 01, 2016 @ 01:34:23
She certainly was. those of us who loved her miss her deeply.
Feb 07, 2016 @ 01:43:08
Victoria Scptt? This was someone Peg mentioned in our high school days…
Jan 29, 2018 @ 22:18:04
They say as we live, so we will die. So i know your friend was always that giving and full of live for life. And remained herself right to the end. How utterly inspiring. A beautiful tribute, Toni.
Jul 13, 2019 @ 12:03:50
Such a lovely and moving tribute to a beautiful person. Her courage is still inspiring others even now. Sending you hugs today my friend.