The most inspiring lady I ever had the pleasure to know...

On Monday 12th it was my best friend Amanda's 40th birthday. It was also her funeral. Amanda had the misfortune to live with Lupus for the past 14 years, and on 18th September we lost her. Amanda was the bubbliest most alive person I have ever known. She never once let Lupus stop her or hold her back from doing the things she loved - occasionally she had to compromise, which frustrated her no end - but she never gave in or allowed it to become an excuse for not doing something. She was never 'ill' despite all her symptoms and complicated medications, and she never complained - ever. Amanda encouraged me to follow through my love of fitness and desire to teach and coach, and she was there every step of the way inspiring me with her endless strength and positivity - her 'let's DO this' attitude. In the days following her passing I wrote a poem for her, which I had the honour of reading at her funeral.

I'll be running some BIG races next year to support the wonderful work of the St Thomas Lupus Trust. We have already raised a HUGE amount in her memory www.justgiving.com/AmandaMunchkin/

Amanda

We met online, in 2009

Shared stories of fitness and New Kids,

Together again, after so much time

That year in May we planned a 5k,

Met up in Hyde Park,

I’ll never forget THAT day!

We chatted for hours,

About them, about us

And how we both so believed in our own superpowers

We got on so well

And I can’t remember who,

But someone suggest the cruise – not a hard sell!

For well over a year,

We gossiped and planned,

And in the midst of all that we grew closer and closer,

You became so much to me,

Much more than ‘just fans’

How you made me laugh

In Miami on the beach yelling ‘Sand up my arse’!!

How you made me smile

When we’d been stood in a queue for hours you said ‘Been here a while – ain’t we?!’

On every hot day I’ll remember you

Sighing so deeply with pleasure at the ‘lovely cool breeze’

You made me giggle, you made me happy,

Without you, my life would’ve been crappy

Your energy was infectious,

Your positivity endless,

My inspiration, my motivation and my greatest cheerleader

You’ve gone far too soon,

What am I going to do?

I’ll have to make goals,

Write a list, get it down,

‘Cos that’s what you’d do,

Never sorry for yourself,

Always strong, always smiling,

Never stopped moving,

Always determined and planning

Now you’ve gone I know you’d want us all,

To take our lead from you,

Never look back,

Never make excuses,

Be honest, be open,

And most important of all

Simply be true to ourselves.

My darling Amanda,

You’ve changed my life,

But the lessons YOU taught me,

Are helping me now,

I know you’d tell me off,

For being down or being low,

Because now I know, you knew you were going to go.

But, you’ll never truly be gone,

Because for as long as I’m here,

I’ll hold your memory dear,

And you’ll always be near.

I hear you laughing,

Saying ‘what’s all this fuss?

I’m still here you div!

In your head and your heart’

You’re talking non-stop of course,

Chattering away, with so much to say,

Always the same – everyday!

Now it’s time to say goodbye,

And we’re doing it your way,

With New Kids and a party,

With everyone here,

To just come together,

And remember your life.

So sleep tight my lovely,

Sweet dreams now you’re peaceful,

I’ll think of you always

My own little munchkin.