Neither one of us may remember exactly, but I know it was you that February afternoon at yet another funeral who reached over the pew and squeezed my shoulder, who recognized how difficult the moment must have been.
You gave me a gift that day and a lesson that I will never forget - that people hadn't forgotten him, that people won't forget him, and that I mattered, too. Someone saw me, and that someone was you. With that one simple gesture and recognition, you spoke directly into my soul and I've never forgotten the gift and the lesson you gave me that day. I never will.
You've always been the sweetest, most encouraging of all encouragers. Every smile and hug from you felt like an extra hug of comfort and nod of support, then and now. I have a feeling that will never change.
Thank you & I love you.