A friendship like ours.................. A Tribute to Nana Clerangle-Chinweh Writing this tribute about Nana Colerangle is one of the Hardest things I have ever had to do ........How do I say goodbye to a wonderful person who for the last 19 years has been a Sister , Friend, Confidante, Ally , My Support System, the roles she played in my life are endless. The measure of my grief is indeed the measure of the deep sense of loss I have felt since the day Baby Jane called to tell me that Nana had passed away......What is strange is that on that fateful Saturday, Nana had been on my mind all morning prompting me to call Her at exactly 12.30 on the very day she left us.....when I got no reply I just assumed that Nana being Nana , was busy doing what she does best ,helping others...Little did I know it was because my friend was reaching out to say Her Final Goodbye.......she passed away later that Afternoon. I first met Nana in 1990 during a very difficult time in my life. From that moment we became more than friends and She soon became the big sister I never had. She was always very kind ,caring, compassionate and most of all very determined and strong. Nana was , an extraordinarily selfless, unselfish and beautiful individual . She had an incredible impact on everyone around her, .I will always remember Nana's smile followed by her booming infectious laugh ... .I sincerely believe that Nana was happier bringing joy to those around her than she was doing things for herself." That rings out with pure truth for those of us that knew her.Always the first to reach out and touch other lives, giving unconditional love was her trade mark and regardless of what she received back she was never phased and never stopped being Nana!. Nana always had a positive attitude which added quality to Her life and spilled over to her meeting with others, enhancing their lives as well. , Always conscious of the suffering of others she devoted Her life to championing the cause of the underprivileged. ,She always chose to see the best in everyone around Her . She believed in people and believed in giving not just second chances but third , forth and fifth...............in essence she rarely gave up on people she cared about. For all these Nana will always have a presence in the lives of those who knew her, whether we remember her beautiful smile, her laugh followed by a booming "wonderful " Nana was the kind of friend that we all want, the kind of friend that we all need, that's the why I'll will miss the trademarks of Her friendship Kindness, Empathy, Loyalty and Forgiveness. As Nana is laid to rest , and we say our earthly goodbye's the pain seems unendurable; this is indeed a very great loss to those of us who loved and cherished Her.... Nana maybe some other day I will have more understanding ...but for now nothing can fill the aching void within and my eyes are filled with tears ..what I would not give for another Nana Hug.....I miss you so much already , My world was a much happier place with you in it...... When you were here you dried my tears so I know that the last thing you would want is for me to grieve your passing this way. Instead you you would want me to be strong so for the love of you and all you taught me , I will be Strong and focus rather on the fact that you lived...and your legacy of love goes on. Iam indeed Thankful to God for the previledge and honour of knowing a beautiful soul who has come and gone through this world touching the lives of countless people in so many ways.......... Nana It is rare that you meet someone Who with that first smile becomes your friend Someone who knows nothing about you one day but makes it Her business To knows you through and through the next Someone who asks for nothing In return for friendship But friendship itself Someone who makes it just as easy To share sadness As it is to share joy Success as well as failure I found that rare some one When I met you Nana! And the precious memories Of friendship will be ours forever Your winning smile And winning ways Made a winner out of me! nothing loved is ever lost So you live on forever in my Heart, Forever in my Mind. Your Baby sister and Friend Wendy Campbell