Training Log Archive: Bash

One of my oldest friends since childhood was found dead outside her home today with no obvious cause. My head is spinning.

Sharon and I spent our teen years on the same street but in recent years, she had lived in Thailand, India, South Carolina and Nova Scotia, moving around with her husband's corporate job. Her Mom lives near us and we were able to get together for a meal whenever she came home to visit.

Although we never lived in the same place as adults, several families from that street stayed in touch so she was more like a cousin. For awhile, our lives overlapped in an unexpected way; she finished the Hawaii Ironman and logged on Attackpoint briefly. Sharon was a loving wife and family member, a devoted friend, a committed Christian, an innovative teacher, a talented musician, a fashion queen, a brilliant student, an adventurer, an athlete, and very creative and energetic in a Martha Stewart kind of way.

After a nice brunch in March, I posted this photo on Facebook with the caption, "Friends for 40 years". The last few years, she had insisted on getting a photo whenever we met. It's a cliché but you never know when it will be the last photo, the last meal together, the last hug. We're reminded of that again and again but it still comes as a shock when someone passes away. I'm glad we had a long conversation when we last saw each other; I couldn't ask for a better final memory. I'll miss her.

Foothab