For Dana

Sadly tonight My blog turns to a dear friend of mine who died in her sleep last night. Dana, my 54-year-old buddy, born a day before me, and a sister in spirit. She finally lost a bravely-fought six year struggle with breast cancer, and I cannot begin to imagine the pain, the shock, and the anxiety her family is feeling right now. Dana had the gift. She made life simply sparkle. Her laughter, her touch with flowers, her artistic soul.. all this plus that untouchable air of positivity.... Those are the vibrant tones of this dear woman. Dana was the first of our class to do many things... She had an early marriage to her current husband, a life long commitment and love affair with the man of her dreams. She had a baby before most of us did.. She had early grandkids. She did many things first... So, again... Dana is going on before us.

I recently read that we are all on the same train. Some will arrive at five o'clock, and others at nine-thirty... but we will all arrive at the same destination. How poetically true that is. Dana is surely in Heaven, and she is most assuredly surrounded by even more beauty and happiness and joy than she brought us, which is a considerable amount. She had asked our sorority sisters to come visit her to tell us good-bye. We were going tomorrow night. And since we did not tell her good-bye, I am certain I will look for her again and again for the rest of my life, expecting to see her at any moment as I always have. Maybe that is my blessing. I look for Dana as I look for others who have gone on before... and since I look, I do see them. I see my grandmothers in an open quilt, a rose bed, or a batch of warm sugar cookies. I see my friend Roberta in a quick hug, an encouraging remark, or a silly moment. I'll see Dana in a candlelit patio on a warm summer's night and in the middle of a laughing story about her family.... I see my Daddy every time a telephone pole silhouettes the blue sky...

So hug your family and hug your friends. Live your best life as long as you can. Pray for God's presence and his friendship to light your way. Hugs to all.