When I first moved to our lake home six and a half years ago, I didn't worry too much about making friends. I'd only moved about twenty minutes from my previous community that held many friends and lots of family, and seemed close enough to fill my needs. It didn't take too long before I realized I didn't know anyone at my church, my children's school, or near my house. Luckily, within a few short months, I was invited to join a book club that would change that circumstance, and my life.

I met Laurel Lee Duerson Bredholt at our first book club meeting (it was actually more like a party that included talk about a book). The entire group, including Laurel and I, seemed to gel immediately. We all formed fast friendships with one another that felt like they'd been years in the making. We continued to meet for book club and began to add various get-togethers; coffee outings, birthday parties, Christmas parties and eventually weekends at Laurel's cabin. It was at one such get together, a gingerbread house- making party, where Laurel first told me her doctor had found a lump in her breast that had been sent immediately for a biopsy. We all waited optimistically for good news. Days later Laurel recounted the afternoon when she heard her garage door going up unexpectedly. She knew it had to be her husband coming home early, and that meant bad news. It was a momentary setback for Laurel; a diagnosis of cancer that she was determined not to let get in the way of her life.

Laurel set many things into motion at that point in time. She had always been a lively go-getter, but she really poured it on after her cancer diagnosis. She fought the cancer valiantly, she poured her heart out to her friends, she remained optimistic for her children, and she continued to live life with vigor. It seemed as though she always had a party to put together, a friend on the phone, a volunteer position she was fulfilling with expert technique, or a room she was decorating so beautifully that we all wanted her to help us with our own homes.

Most of all Laurel would laugh. She wasn't afraid to talk about her cancer, but she didn't want to dwell on it. She seemed to want to run ahead of the cancer, doing everything to beat the odds. And she did. During her brief remission she began teaching those around her how to live. I'm not sure where she got the energy to do everything she did, but she took part in so many things and was the instigator of many outings.

In the photograph on the opposite page you can see some of us gathered for a girl's weekend at Laurel's cabin. Despite the fact that it was hours away from home, Laurel had the place decked out with music, beds, and a spread of food that looked like a caterer had prepared it. She convinced us we could take the boat out, so we proceeded to do just that; shoving off from the dock, starting it, restarting it, floating some (a little worry on my part about an unplanned swim), and fortunately a final start of the engine executed solely by women. She navigated her way across the lake to a nearby restaurant and later delivered us safely back at the dock of her cabin.

It was so empowering to feel Laurel's optimism. Her laughter and happiness were contagious. Through time spent with her, I learned about her love of her cabin, her love of a getaway, her love of her family and friends, and her love of the lake. I learned of her strength, a strength that ran deep and would carry her through the rest of her journey, still loving, still laughing, and still optimistic.

A few months later, back at her cabin, Laurel and I were walking up a slight incline when I noticed she was breathing quite hard for such a short walk. It was my first indication that something was wrong. Maybe deep inside Laurel knew something was wrong, but she never let on. I think it was the deep love she felt for her two beautiful children that kept her going. She was bound and determined to make it through her battle against cancer for them. She wanted to be there loving them forever. If she was afraid the cancer was back, she didn't show us, she just kept on living and loving.

But, the cancer was back. The news set an even quicker pace for Laurel. She didn't rush anything, but she didn't waste any time. She savored all of her time; time with her children, time with her family, and time with her friends. Hugs came often from Laurel, smiles came freely, laughter came easily, and tears generally streamed over the top of it all. She gave herself completely to those she loved.

Every time I called Laurel I was amazed at what transpired. I would say "Hi Laurel, it's Nancy." And she would respond with sweet surprise, "Hi Nancy!" as though mine was just the phone call she was hoping for. I don't know how she made each of us in her life feel so special, but she did. I would love to live like Laurel, I would love to give like Laurel, and I hope to love like Laurel did.

Laurel passed away October 28, 2003. While we are all so sad not to have her near to hold, to laugh with, and to talk to, we feel so blessed to have loved her and to have been loved by her. She has been such a gift to all of us. Each day I hope I learn to live a little more like Laurel, with courage, wisdom, strength, optimism, and love.

I encourage you to live more like Laurel too. Embrace that which you love in life, your family, your friends, and life at the lake.

Nancy Henke, Editor

By Nancy Henke