I have been friends with an extraordinary woman for over 5 years now. When we met Minna was 99 and when she died last week she was 104 years old. She lived at the retirement home where I worked and even though I don't work there anymore, I would still go to visit. We were very close. She was a candy-aholic and I would bring her about 3 pounds of candy each visit. Sometimes she would be sleeping and still have a piece of candy in her mouth. She loved people and especially men, she would always flirt with any man who walked in the door. She was also a hugger. She gave the best hugs.

Last Friday my former co-worker called me to tell me that Minna wouldn't make it through the night and I should come she her. It was really sad to see her so far gone. She was only breathing about every 45 seconds when I got there. She was ready to go, she told me all of the time, but it was still hard to let her leave. She was a really good friend to me and was always there to make me laugh and give me great big hugs. I told her I'd see her later and that I loved her and said goodbye.

I was there for her and she was there for me. We kept eachother company during her last years. We were definitely in this together.