My Aunt, Gertrude, older sister to my mother...I remember her always trying to pinch my cheek and hating have to see her cuz I knew that it would hurt. I remember her as full of laughter and the giggles. She was the silly aunt...I have a memory of her staying at our house and as we were having church she came downstairs and wanted to get some water to drink (I think she wanted to see the service but did not know how to ask) and interupted it...I still smile as I think of her. I have few memories of her as I got older as we lived very far away and did not see each other or correspond. I could have been a better niece, my mother would call her and she would tell me all the latest about my aunt, what she said and how happy she was that my mother called. I guess I thought knowing that from a 3rd party made a relationship...I could have done more, I now know that
...Tom Dillon was one of those men. He had a wonderful baritone voice (he should, as he was an announcer for the Cardinals as well as the ASU team). He was always so quick to smile and to laugh. I spent many mornings walking with his wife, Bonnie, and thru her, I was able to meet and know this special man. I saw the care that he took with his wife and the way his arms were always open for a hug. I remember one day asking him for a favor for myself and a friend and he jumped at the chance to help me...
He love to fly and watching him in his plane was magical, he played the plane as a maestro, as a master of it, creating a orchestra of up drafts, of leveling, of freedom. I asked if he would take me and a friend to Sedona for breakfast and I would buy him breakfast so we could experience that moment. He did not hesitate to say yes, and off we went. What an incredible morning we had learning about planes, watching him create the beautiful rhythm between man and plane, seeing our incredible state from 10,000 feet up.
I watched him sing at his wife's mother funereal...his voice somber and yet full of love, he was truly a Renaissance man. Later that same morning, he stood Bonnie and was her silent support, I saw how she would look at him and how he would at her, you just knew even in pain they were together in this journey. She has lost the love of her life and I have lost a dear friend. You are missed Tom!
During this year I have had friends move away to new adventures and unknown charters. People who I thought would always be around...They have seen me through many years and through some hard times, they always had a dinner or a glass of wine to handle the stress. I will miss you Dr. C (I went to her Doctorate Graduation last January) and Lynne. They have moved back to San Diego, where their heart has always been. AZ loss is CA gain...
Another set of friends are moving East to Wash D.C. to climb the FBI ladder...Lynn will loved in DC as she was loved her...Her easy smile and her warmth will gain you many friends. Lisa will enjoy all the beauty of DC...I have spent many night crying into their shoulders as well as celebrating incredible things with them. They leave a huge whole in my heart...
There are others who have shimmered in and shimmered out of my life, they have all left me a gift in our shared journey. Thank you for your sweet smiles, your open arms in friendship and the time that we were able to share our moments...They truly are all a part of my World and my losses...
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