Lost a really good family friend.

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There are the types of people you meet but once in a lifetime, and my family just lost a great family friend who was this type of person. You can't describe this type of person with words, but I'll do my best to try. My mom actually met this person online when I was still just a kid. I was probably 11 or 12, and I remember I hadn't even met her at this time but she knew me through the stories my mother would tell her, but she used to think of me and send me little gifts in the mail, and eventually I had the privilege of meeting her when I was probably about 13 or 14 and she just had this kindness that is indescribable. She was truly a one of a kind person. I used to have conversations with her about politics and while we didn't always agree she would respect my opinions and not treat me like a moron for having them. She was a gem of a human being and I will never come across anyone else like her. She was so full of life and it doesn't feel like she's really gone. I've kept up with her through the years via email and social media. She actually died a week ago but I only found out today, because her granddaughter posted her obituary on her FB. I felt like someone punched me in the gut. I've had very little sleep, and I was exhausted until I read that and now I just can't sleep. My mind is racing with all of these thoughts and wishing I had talked to her more or wishing that I had the chance to see her one last time. She was so thrilled when she found out I was having a baby and she sent me a gift through the mail and wished me well. She was always commenting on my pictures I posted of my son. She was this big bright soul. I still don't know how she died or even that she was sick. She wasn't the type of person to talk about being ill, she was the type to just be happy for everyday god granted her. I remember this quote from the movie "Mrs.Winterbourne" where Shirley MacClain said "if it weren't for this body I'd live forever" and to me, that's who this person was. This hurts almost worse than my uncle's death and my cousin's a year ago around this time, because I didn't know my cousin very well, and my uncle didn't get to live much of a life so I felt like his passing was for the best given his situation, since he couldn't live the life I felt he should have had, but this friend was like a shining star who shone through even the darkest and cloudiest of nights. She was the type of person who just knew how to make you feel better simply by giving you a smile or by saying a few kind words. I'll miss my talks with her. You don't have to see someone in person a daily basis to call them a friend, heck you don't even really have to meet them. With online friends, you share your lives through words and can sometimes tell them things you can't tell the people you know in person. She was practically like family and we only ever met her once. She was from Texas and had that bigger than life personality that some Texans seem to have. She was a truly kind soul, and I feel as though she made my life better simply by being a part of it even if she wasn't a constant part of it. I wish I had a chance to talk to her and see her one last time. I know she wouldn't want us to be sad but it's difficult not to be. She lived a long life and she got to love and be loved and I know she felt blessed with the life she lived. It just doesn't feel like she's gone. The most difficult thing I had to do was tell my mom that her friend who she regarded as sister had died. My mom had just mentioned she hadn't heard from her in awhile and wanted to call her and now we find this out. Our hearts are breaking. It feels like it hurts worse because we didn't have time to prepare ourselves, and we never got to say goodbye and we can't go to the funeral as it's in Texas. I just want to say rest in peace my friend, and I know you're out there somewhere smiling down on us. I know you're watching out for everyone you care for like a guardian angel. We all love you and miss you and one day we'll meet again. At least I know she'll continue to live in my memories, I just wish we had the chance to make more.