During October three of my very favourite friends died.

David I’ve known since I was twelve…. he was actually my first crush on anyone real, beyond pop and film stars. Kind, witty, a great handsome bear of a man.  He married my great friend Erica and they lived happily together for fifty years, before David endured a long and fatal illness.  We used to meet perhaps twice a year, as I lived 200 miles away.  He loved animals, especially dogs and I remember him once saying that when he was little boy he put a notice in the post office, asking everyone to bring their dogs to his house, so he could get to know them all!   He has a special place in my heart. 

Tim had a sudden death, and he was my closer friend.  I got to know him at the local Writers Circle.  He was a poet, and always looked at my books before they were sent for publication. He provided music for my dance classes.  We shared so many bottles of wine, talking over life, the universe and everything.  He taught philosophy and had a supple, enquiring, miraculous mind.  This is one of his lighter poems, written for my grandson Jack. 

Ask a Lotl

My name is Sanchez
An axoltl
I am small, pink and wibbly
But I have a lot of botl.
I am forever grateful
I am Mexican
Not estury or cockney
Because if I was
I would have to deal with
The infamous
Glotl stop!
Would I like that?
Not a lotl!

The Tim-shaped hole in my life is immense.  

Then there’s my lovely Mollie.  We met for lunch, once a month for over seven years, laughing, hugging, so much on the same page about everything.  We shared our troubles with families and friends and supported each other unfailingly.  She was a talented writer and painter and loved music as much as I do, especially Beethoven.  She took up painting late in life and produced very striking and powerful images. She was a delight to be with.  I will mourn our very feminine friendship forever.

I miss them all so much but recognise that, in the brief flaring of our lives, they shone with a magnificent intensity before sinking back into the dream from which we all emerge.

Love to all. Love everywhere, in life and death. How beautiful, and terrifying it all is.

*****

During November I’ve learned that my ‘Book of the Sun’ is to be published on December 15th.  And so is life, on one hand sorrowing, and on the other joyous.