Party

The way Hong Kong's iconic Jumbo Floating Restaurant sinking like Titanic is sad. But nothing earth-shattering, if you ask me, when compared to the story of my friend who can't make it to go on board the boat today.

That's a boat party she missed. Not an impromptu party, but a boat party she planned after her diagnosis of stomach cancer. Flecks of cancer had already broken free of her bleeding stomach, floating off into her body. Her liver first. And then bone. And her lungs. She knew she was counting her days. Last month she came up with the idea of throwing a boat party for her family, her son's buddies at school and ice hockey team.

She wished she were here today. We wished too. 

She died two weeks ago.