This past week a beautiful earth angel, my dear friend, Judiann Davies-Keasey, made her transition. Because she was also a dear friend to many others, there has been a massive outpouring of sadness and love at her passing, and my thoughts turned to the amazing footprint she has left behind in everyone’s heart.

Judiann had many hard times in her life, and having worked through them she had great empathy. She reached out to anyone who needed love and support, and in doing so inspired so many. She was not afraid to share her journey or her feelings for she knew it would help others. Her heart was truly open and she was wholly present in the space of love, compassion, and forgiveness. She found her power in loving, giving and uplifting others.

We all have our circle of friends, but how often do we tell them how precious they are to us? How wonderful? How special? How loved? Judiann told all of her friends every single day. She never missed an opportunity to say ‘I love you’. She had reached that ultimate positive place where she enhanced all those whose life she touched.

Her legacy is love. How often did she call me a precious angel? How often did she thank me for just being me and then go on to tell me I was special? She did it every time we connected. She may have left her physical body, but she has left behind something so incredibly empowering ~ her unconditional love and her generous spirit.

The footprint we leave behind has nothing to do with the ‘perfect’ life. It’s not about what we look like. It’s not about what we do for a living or what we have. It’s about what shines from our heart and how that makes us and others feel. Judiann helped so many to love themselves ~ she listened, she understood, she supported, she guided, she uplifted. She was a blessing in their lives when they needed a friend. It was her mission.

She will be missed, but her love is not gone. When I received the news of her sudden passing I could not hold back the tears. But in an instant I heard, “I’m alright, I love you”. And of course she is alright. She is home in the loving stream of pure source energy and I uplift her with as much love as she gave. The love connection she created is so powerful that while I will miss her, I don’t feel a sense of loss. Her footprint will forever live in my heart, and I encourage all those reading this to pick up the baton of love and compassion, and run with it. Don’t ever miss a chance to say, ‘I love you’.

Judiann finished her journey on earth without regrets, and continues on as the vibrant light of love that she was in this life. In uplifting others, she uplifted herself. She trusted the power of love. In her own words, ‘Real love never dies … it even survives beyond the living.’

We will all leave our own unique footprint. I hope mine will be synonymous with the love and joy I feel in my heart. What will your footprint be?

Inara Hawley © 2014