Since last week, four of my friends, Cheryl's, close friends, have been making arrangements for her memorial service, which we prefer to think of as her "going away party".  And it's going to be amazing, complete with a spiritually eclectic service, flute and string music, wonderful food, and lots of good red wine so we can all raise a glass.  

We are holding the memorial at the McLean Gardens Ballroom, 3811 Porter Street NW, Washington, DC 20016.  In lieu of flowers, you may make a contribution to Habitat for Humanity or Martha's Table.

We found ourselves going through family photos with her daughters so we can put together a photo board, with pictures starting from her childhood until now.

Over the weekend, her daughters and I sorted through the photo files on my Mac and in her computer.  This picture, which appeared in today's Washington Post, is the professional Cheryl that appeared on her business cards and her web site.  And this totally reflects Cheryl the real estate agent.   

But we found more that I want to share.  They are just so her!     

The first was taken on a recent trip to South Africa while she was visiting her daughter, Charlotte.  Here, she is on her way to visit some wild life.

Which she found in the next shot - or perhaps it found her!  This was taken right after the elephant slowed down from a slow charge and she realized she was not going to be trampled after all.

And then she said thank you.

Then, a favorite, taken on her daughter's veranda.

And finally, here is one that I took when we were in Barbados.

Once agian, I want to say thank you to my friends on Active Rain who've been just wonderful during this rough couple of weeks.  Even when a memorial service is clearly a celebration of a wonderful life, it's pretty hard to get through.