It’s been nearly a week and I’ve been trying to arrange a sequence of words to string together describing the heavyhearted loss of, Corina.

Two years ago, Corina was diagnosed with breast cancer while pregnant with her fifth baby. Fighting for two, Corina endured chemotherapy and was blessed with a beautiful baby boy. But, the fight was not over.

She and I connected as our husbands served in the US Army together, neither of them knowing that their future wives would be diagnosed with cancer at a devastatingly young age. Like me, Corina has shared her journey over the past two years; the ups, downs, the good, the bad, and the ugly.

I wish I could say that I had the chance to meet her in person, had the chance to hug her and tell her how seeing her sparkling smile made me want to fight just as hard to be positive, lionhearted, and live life to the hilt.

Corina has forever been imprinted on my heart.  Today as she is laid to rest, I pray for her husband, her children, family, friends and observers of her journey, that they are overcome not with sorrow, but the utmost peace and strength knowing that Corina touched so many lives. And, while I realize that there are no words or sequences of sentences that will make this less mournful, her memory and that smile will continue to live on forever.

Rest In Peace, beautiful, brave soul.

Your fellow warrior and friend,

Britt x