Ronda took the express train home with no time to say goodbye to many of us and we, in turn, had no time to say goodbye to her and tell her just how much she meant to us. I wanted to be near to her in my grief and went on YouTube to search for some Elvis songs. She loved Elvis, he was her favourite singer, and she used to tell me that she was quite certain that she was related to him, in not in this life, in a past life. And on the home page of YouTube, the words “If tomorrow starts without me” caught my eye and being curious I pressed it. The words spoken were so beautiful, I closed my eyes and heard Ronda speaking them, and they brought me some comfort. I would like to share this poem with you, especially for her family. Her two beloved daughters, Rowie and Nat, who she was so proud of the people they have grown up to be, and of their achievements both big and small. Her adored brother, Ian, who she was constantly worrying about. Her darling grandchildren, Izzy, Seb, Thibaut and Lilya, whom she loved and cherished and who were her world. Their partners, Joan, Martin, Ian and Ben, who she welcomed with loving arms into the family. For Emily and Linton and their families, Bonnie and Alan and their family, myself and David, where with her outstretched arms embraced us and made us part of her family, and she became part of ours. For all her treasured friends on whom she showered love, kindess and generousity. -- “When tomorrow starts without me, and I’m not there to see If the sun should rise and find your eyes, all filled with tears for me. I wish so much you wouldn’t cry the way you did today, While thinking of the many things we didn’t get to say. I know how much you love me, as much as I love you, And each time that you think of me, I know you’ll miss me too. But when tomorrow starts without me, please try to understand, That an angel came and called my name and took me by the hand, And said my place was ready, in heaven far above, And that I’d have to leave behind all those I dearly love. But as I turned to walk away, a tear fell from my eye. For all my life, I’d always thought I didn’t want to die. I had so much to live for, so much left yet to do, It seemed almost impossible, that I was leaving you. I thought of all the yesterdays, the good ones and the bad. I thought of all the love we shared and all the fun we had. If I could re-live yesterday, just even for a while, I’d say good-bye and hug you and maybe see you smile. But then I fully realised that this could never be, For emptiness and memories would take the place of me. But when I walked through heaven’s gates, I felt so much at home When God looked down and smiled at me from His great golden throne. He said “This is eternity and all I’ve promised you. Today your life on earth is past but here life starts anew. I promise no tomorrow but today will always last, And since each day’s the same way, there’s no longing for the past”. So when tomorrow starts without me, don’t think we’re far apart, For every time you think of me, remember, I’m right here, in your heart.” -- Ronda is now at home, but she left us her two beautiful daughters Rowie and Nat and her brother Ian and in them, those who knew and loved her, can still see and hear her. God Bless You. Ronda is and will always be my “forever friend”, I love her and miss her terribly. Sue xxxx