Miss who was

26 september is de geboortedag van mijn vriendin Nelly die in 2009 op 48-jarige leeftijd overleed aan de gevolgen van ongeneeslijke longkanker. Dat onthutsende bericht kreeg zij in november 2005. Ik mis haar nog elke dag. Al is ze er niet meer om deze dag mee te vieren (wat Nelly als geen ander kon), vandaag heffen we het glas op haar.

I’m sitting and I'm thinking
every moment of today
missing you, my friend
only wishing I could say:
Happy Birthday! once again
as I had for many years.
But now it’s sent to heaven
while I cry so many tears.

You were a woman of many talents,
you could draw anyone with ease.
You created and the end result
was a gift so sure to please.

You aimed for true perfection
anything less just would not do.
Any mistakes would need correction
needed or not, but that was you.

So many years of fun times
I can not believe they now are gone.
I miss you more than words can say
thought your legacy still lives on.

I miss your smile, I miss your ways…
a heart of gold beneath the haze.
I hope you know how thankful
I was to have you there for me.
Always opening your home and heart
a true friend you would always be.

So today, let me say Happy Birthday
with sadness but little regret
to let you know I miss who was:
one of the greatest girls I ever met.

Dee Corpolongo (hedendaagse Amerikaanse dichteres)