My Friend Marilyn 1939-2006

May you always rest in peace, dear friend. This photo was taken in 1998 at our high school reunion. Marilyn was posing in a "chorus line" of classmates, showing her typical beaming smile and good humor.

She was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer back in the spring. It subsequently spread to her liver and beyond; ultimately causing several strokes. I am very sad that she is gone and simultaneously happy that she is no longer in pain.

Marilyn and I met in third grade, when we took dance classes at the same time. We even danced together at one of the recitals. I am sorry that I don't have a photo of that, because we were adorable eight-year-olds in our frilly costumes for "Three Little Girls in Blue" and another one in which our costumes were shamrocks on white satin. Due to the numbers of kids in the recital, we didn't get on until almost midnight, and we were so tired that we forgot half the routine!

We met again in high school, where we were in several groups together, notably the Spanish club. While we were not buddies after school hours, we did see each other every day. The first reunion I attended was the 20th, during which Marilyn and I renewed our friendship. We became better friends after that, even sharing hotel rooms at subsequent reunions. Our birthdays were only a week apart (though she is a year older), and we made it a point to call each other then, as well as several times throughout the year.

The last time I spoke with her was Monday the 17th. I called her cell phone and it was answered by her daughter, who told me that Marilyn had a stroke and couldn't speak. She put the phone to her mom's ear and I talked to her for a few minutes, wondering what you say to a person in that condition without sounding too downbeat. I told her, among other things, how fond I had always been of her, and was planning a trip to see her as soon as I could. It wasn't soon enough, of course. She died yesterday morning at 4:00 am. I wonder if that is why I awoke at 4:30 a.m., unable to go back to sleep. During that time I prayed for Marilyn, but I had no feelings of premonition about her. I wish her well in whatever journey she is now undertaking.

I once attended a funeral in which the pastor said he thinks of death as a ship sailing away over the horizon, and as it leaves our view, it eventually arrives at some other horizon, with old friends and family to greet it on the other side. I hope that is true. Rest in peace, dear friend.