Wednesday, February 25, 2004
I found out today that a friend of mine has lost her battle with cancer. She passed away yesterday.
Ana Fe was one of my oldest geek friends. I first met her when I was 17; she and her husband Shawn used to come into our coffee shop. They loved X-Files and Harry Potter and books, and we used to spend hours talking and laughing. They were a fun pair; Ana Fe always had a quick wit and vibrant personality. She laughed at all of my lame jokes, and listened to my high school whinging. She was a sweet, big-hearted young woman.
Ana Fe was diagnosed with Hodgkin's disease about three years ago. Several times, the doctors thought she was in remission but the cancer always seemed to return despite the treatments and best efforts. She and Shawn had been waiting to get married because of his own medical problems and this set back their date even more. They finally had their wedding in Las Vegas, aboard the Treasure Island ship, this past June.
I last saw Ana Fe in July, at her Texas wedding reception, which was held at our coffee shop. Jet-lagged and happy, I helped set up the decorations for it: six hundred multicoloured origami cranes -- an Asian tradition she decided to incorporate into her wedding, connected to her Filipino heritage -- had to be unfolded and put as centerpieces on the tables. It looked lovely when all was done, though.
I'll remember her best on the day of that wedding reception: she was tired, but she looked beautiful all in white, and her joy was genuine. I was glad to see her surrounded by her friends and loved ones, laughing and talking despite her exhaustion.
Shawn and Ana Fe always seemed to have the worst challenges hurled at them; but they always faced their difficulties with determination, humor, and an inspiring happiness. Ana Fe was a positive person who never relented in her struggle against the illness. I know she's at peace now, and her lovely spirit will continue to influence those who knew her.
| 12:25 PM |
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