Ciana's Memorial Of Laura

Laura's friend Ciana sent this, perhaps not intending for it to be read, but it is especially meaningful:

Dear Joan,

Chooch just let me know that Laura, the brightest, most beautiful, loving woman and friend left this world for the next . . .

In a way I feel so guilty for not being in closer touch with her these last months but I lost my best friend in October while I was on my honeymoon. I know she would have wanted me to live and try to mend . . .

I've been in feeling his loss for so long, I gave up on the world. Please excuse my babbling, it's hard to write and shriek and cry at the same time . . .

I loved her so much. If not for her love, kindness, advice and confidence in me, I would have never married my husband or came to understand that no matter what society says, I am a beautiful, wonderful young woman with a wondrous life ahead of me . . .

Laura, was so loved. I will always remember her. She touched my life and heart so very profoundly . . .

My deepest and heart felt condolences . . .

Cian'a

Joan's following comments:

As this young woman expressed her gratitude for helping her to realize her beauty, I thought of the last journal entry I wrote that Laura ever heard, having read it to her the night before the tragic heart attack.

In it, I said:

I feared I would not find love, the kind of love in which your beloved looks at you, and to them, you are beautiful.

But I did find that love, for mind, separate from body, could write letters. And I did, and someone became attracted to that mind. That Laura found its beauty shining through my hither to inadequate frame has became my life's greatest blessing.

How grateful I had one last chance to tell Laura of my gratitude. That evening, we sat on the sofa, facing each other, and, once again, we looked into each other's eyes. Laura had a way of looking at you no one else I know has ever had. She looked into your eyes, and you felt she looked right through to your very soul. One last time, she re-assured me of my beauty and her love. This is the way I want to remember her beautiful face.

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