Instruction:
Tell me an uplifting story about a recently departed dear friend and how she continues to inspire and guide me.  Use references from Star Wars to drive the point home.

Response:
One year ago, Kate departed for the Next Place. 
It struck me this morning that--while I miss her like gangbusters--she is actually still “with” me, and now, more than ever. 
She's sitting right there on a sunny day; She's giggling at me when I'm ridiculous (and I know if the same thing happened to her, she’d be self-deprecating about it and just keep going, so I keep going too!);  Her advice lulls me to sleep when I’m contemplating difficult child-rearing problems; And there she is, whispering in my ear during work meetings, when I need to make tough decisions. 
She reminds me every day that I can do this.
ALL of this. 
Kate has become a Jedi/Force Ghost...and she is more powerful now than ever.