I got back home from work 3 hours ago and read a message from my childhood best friend. Her mother, a dear friend and a family friend to me, had passed away on Sunday.

I've been crying pretty much non-stop ever since I read her message. Eeva, her mother, was an amazing woman, a role model to me in many ways. She was kind, caring, compassionate woman, who had a loud voice, wonderful laugh and a huge heart, which had a special place for each kid she came across. I know that my childhood would have been completely different without Eeva, she had the ability to bring out magic in ordinary things and talked to every kid like she was talking to the Most Important Person in the world.

If I'll ever have the chance to a mother, she will be my example - she was a housewife at the time when it wasn't cool to stay at home in here. She always put her family first instead of work, a complitely different perspective than many other women I know and have known in my life.

I'd call her family, but I simply do not know what to tell them and I cannot even look at their house -located next door- without crying.

What makes things worse is that nobody knows why she died at this point. She was visiting her son and his family out of town when she suddenly died. It could have been a stroke or heart attack, they simply don't know yet.

Eeva had just retired earlier this year and had lots of plans she could now do with her husband and their two kids and grandkids. It saddens me that there is one baby boy, less than a year old, who will never have the chance to really get to know his incredible grandmother.

RIP Eeva, I will never forget you. This world was indeed a better place with you in it and the gap you left will never be filled entirely. Memories will comfort the rest of us now when your time here on Earth has come to its end.

Sanna

I'm sorry for your loss of such a special person to you.

Charlotte

Ditto! 

Your presence at this time will mean more to them than the words.  They know how much she cared about you and you her, so just your presence even if all you can do is cry with them will bring great comfort.

In a couple of days when things have settled down and they can think through things share what you wrote us.  It will mean much more then.

Jerry

So very sorry for your loss Sanna. Eeva made a huge impact on your life and now you have this void, and it all seems so unfair for you at this point.
You and others were so very lucky to have spent part of your lives with her, and now she has gone to a better place.
Our deepest condolences and remember the good times and celebrate her life with you. Losing someone you were so close to is the hardest thing in the world, but it was her time.
I wish we could be with you right now to comfort you but all we can do is send you and her family and friends all the prayers we have.
PM me if you need to talk, I will be here for you.
  Hugs, Barry & Angie

My heart goes out to you, Eeva and her family.  I'm so sorry for your loss.

-Dennis-

Rats.

So sorry for you and your friends but I'm very happy that I got to read your tribute. It was something!
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Charlie

Sanna,

I'm so sorry for your loss.  It's hard to talk about it when you lose a loved one that is not technically "family", even if they are in your heart. 

I'm not sure how you do things there, but if you think it wouldn't be a terrible breach of ettiquette, you could just go next door- you may not have to say a word.  I'm sure your friend understands how much her mom meant to you as well.  You could just be the hug she needs. 

Pepp

Sanna... I am ssssoooo sorry for your lost. She sounds like a really wonder person. If she was half as wonderful as you state she was, she will live on for ever in your and many others heart.

Thinking of the good time and good things I Pray will ease your pain.

I will say a Prayer for you, your friend and her family...

Peace & Blessings
LadyLuv

Thank you all for your support. As I sit here and type this, I'm feeling much better. I did cry twice at work the day after, and I didn't get much sleep during that night. It's intresting how sorrow gets to you.

Me and mom have not been able to express our condolences to Eeva's widow in person yet, because he and the rest of the immediate family have left the city. Eeva's son's house is under construction and they all are there to help him, just like Eeva was on the day she passed away.

On the same time they all are now close to Eeva and when the authorities let them, they will also transport Eeva back to here. Eeva was born and bread and lived her whole life here in Helsinki and she will be buried here as well.

We have not yet decided if we should get them flowers (which they already have plenty) or should I bake something. Back in here, people usually bring and sent flowers. Our house certainly turned into a flower shop on the day dad died.

Sanna

Linda,

I do write poetry and I actually tried the whole week to write something for Eeva's memory. And I got absolutely nothing. It's quite devastating fact that a writer cannot write a single line... But I'll try to come up with something.

Mom and I went to visit Eeva's widow tonight. Mom had bought beautiful white flowers and a card. We went there and talked with him about half an hour. All three of us were holding back the tears and he said that the day Eeva had been "the worst day in his life". I knew exactly what he meant, I felt the same way about the day my father died.

Once we left and walked home, my tears came. Now I plan to ask my bosses if I can get time off from work on the day of Eeva's funeral. I'm not sure if they will let me, the funeral will be held on a Thursday, next week.

I certainly hope that they will let me have a half day off...

Sanna

Thank you again, Barry.

I asked one of the bosses today and she said that it was ok. I can go!

And she also said that I don't have to come to work before the funeral or after it. That is wonderful, because when I checked the transport options, I could go for a short while before the funeral, but I would have to leave almost streight away.

Naturally, anything can happen in a weekly magazine, but then again, something always does. I'm ready to be flexible (that's why I went to one event on my own time this evening) and put extra hours, but on a time like this, I hope that some of that same flexibility comes back to me. Just like it seems at this very moment. Now, let's keep thumbs up that the world won't collapse next week, so that I can attend the funeral as planned!

Sanna