"Cheryl and I, and perhaps five
others, met for a monthly ovca support lunch in London, Ont.,
in the summer of 2002.
"Cheryl in her utterly bright self, said, 'I need you women
today. My doctor told me I have five months to live.'
"Cheryl's abdomen was thick...as so many of ours are. She
then, in her drypan humour style, told of buying a funeral
dress that week.
"She and friend went to a trendy place in downtown London,
picked out something with a high, frilly collar and
cuffs. Then they returned to
Cheryl's apartment.
"Cheryl, being Cheryl, insisted on 'trying out' the dress by
laying on the
floor and having her friend spread the dress on top of her!
"At that point they both broke out laughing and Cheryl
realized that the
frilly look just wasn't for her!
"She and her friend returned the dress and exchanged it for
something more tailored, of Cheryl's style.
"Cheryl and I walked out of the restaurant arm in arm. She
and I had
talked of possible 'loves' before and she was still hopeful. She
did not
want to die alone.
"I drove off, back to Stratford, while Cheryl drove to her
rowing
practice...there she had a crush and it made her happy just being
there.
"That is my fondest memory and encouragement from Cheryl:
despite the deadly news, she chose life by going rowing and
let her 'crush' continue.
"I loved her, I still do." Diane Sims, Stratford,
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