We are trying to let go of a political dream right now and
the old homily about giving someone enough rope and they
will hang themselves comes to mind. I hope it is sooner rather than later, before too much damage is done.

On a personal level, I am losing my best friend in all the
world. We have been friends for forty years and have seen
our children become grandparents. Her daughter called me
in tears and said that June could no longer talk because
she was so weak. She has been in a nursing home for
about four years for dementia but she never forgot me or
her children.

June had a big life. She was born into a family of twelve
children with an alcoholic father. She was married at
sixteen but managed to go to college, get a teaching degree and then a masters degree in counseling. She took some of
her coursework at the University of Hawaii. She coached
highschool basket ball for a year because that was something that she always wanted to do. She got a degree
in nursing and then later a masters degree so that she
could teach nursing in college and her last job was as
director of nursing at one of our state colleges.

June managed to raise three exceptional children. She
was blessed with an infectious sense of fun. She taught
herself to play the guitar and I can see her in my mind
playing and singing Greensleeves.

In her seventies, after she retired, she ran for city
Council and won. She told me once that her gift was
her ability to teach and inspire students.

She always said of our friendship that a joy shared was
a joy doubled and a sorrow shared was a sorrow halved.
I am having trouble with letting go but it is time. June
is almost 92 and her heart is giving out. I will miss
my dear friend but I am richer for having had her in my life.