Today my best friend Donna should have turned 48 years old…but she is forever 32. Cancer took her much too soon.

Donna was more of a sister than a friend, and I feel her loss keenly even after 16 years. There are many things I miss about her, of course, but for me what I always miss most is the laughter.

She could make me laugh until I cried like nobody else. And she did it on a regular basis.

These last few years have been rough for a number of reasons, the last few months especially. I could use her laughter right now.

So today I am missing my friend while remembering with gladness the 18 years of friendship we had.

I miss you, Donna. I miss the laughter.

I always think of her when I hear this song: