How do you say goodbye when you don't want to?

I have been trying for the last 2 days to write something to post here. As you can see, I have been unsuccessful.

I am so sad, and so lost. My best friend's mom passed away on Monday (12/26). The same woman who survived pneumonia this past summer. The same woman, who against all odds, went home in October and began to reclaim her life. The same woman who defined strength and determination. The same woman who always knew when I was lying to cover up for my friend. I will miss her terribly.

How do you get past losing your mom? My own mom is so young, that it seems impossible that I will go through this one day. I know it is a fact of life, but I have lived my life in relative denial, until now. Brigitte's mom was young too, only 69. She had a whole other part of her life to look forward to, with her husband, watching her own kids with their families, spoiling her grandchildren...

One thing I am grateful for is that Brigitte's children had such wonderful and close relationships with their grandmother. That is something to be treasured.