There is a New Star in the Sky

Our beloved Diane

My blogging theme for December was happy, not sad. There would be pictures of Christmas lights and gingerbread men and that was my plan until yesterday. Happy is interrupted for real life as real life today is not happy. 

In the winter of 2003 I began posting on a Weight Watchers thread. My only goal was to lose weight. I lost some weight, but more importantly I made a wonderful group of friends. Three years ago we took our first trip together to Dallas. That was followed by trips to Las Vegas, Memphis and this year to Chicago.  Whenever anyone asked who did the arrangements for our trips, my answer was "My friend, Diane. She's the best." Heartbreakingly, Diane died yesterday of liver cancer. We had surgery the same week this summer, but tragically her diagnosis was not the same as mine. She had hoped to join us in Chicago in November and next year in Santa Fe, but that is not to be.

I wish you all could have known Diane. She was warm, thoughtful, fun and funny. Each year hers was the first text of the new year and she was the source of dozens of ideas for trips and good times. I am so grateful for the gift of Diane, but also sad that my life has lost her light and laughter. But when I look up at the night sky and I see a bright star I will remember Diane.