Darla,
Well, it took me a while to be able to write this to you. But in a way, I find it kind of fitting. Even without putting things into words, you and I always understood each other. Without saying it, you knew how much I loved Leah. And without saying it, I knew how much you loved Leah. We understood each other. Without saying it, you knew how much I loved you. Without saying it, I knew how much you loved me. We always just seemed to understand each other - even without words.
I think it's beautiful that the last time we said goodbye to each other (we didn't know it would be our last time), you hugged me and said, "I love you." And I hugged you back and said "I love you too." I think that may have been the first time we ever said I love you explicitly to each other, but the love between us was always there, and we both always knew it. And even though you're not physically with us, the love between us will still always be here. Thank you for the gift of your love that you've shared with ALL of us. I love you, Darla. I love you.