Death of a dear friend

Death of a Friend

Today is a sad day for Bob and I as a dear friend died unexpectedly last night. Her death should not have been unexpected as she was chronologically elderly…. over 85 years of age, but because of her lifestyle I suppose we assumed she would be with us for at least a few more years.
About a week ago Dorothy was at Bob’s birthday party. We hadn’t seen her for a few months as we had been away sailing. She had just returned from her beach house in Caleta de Campos (north of Zihuatanejo). A few times during the afternoon she told us how happy she was to have been able to come to the party. She sat there in her baseball cap as sprightly as ever. Who knew this would be the last time that we would see her?
We met Dorothy in Patzcuaro about 4 years ago, and in some ways it was a life-changing event. She swept into our lives with a vigour that few of us possess in our youth. Her parties were a thing to behold…food, laughter, drinks, music …and she loved being the hostess. Everything she did, she did with exuberance, and in a no nonsense manner.
Why do I regard her as such an influence? In every way she exemplified how I would like to grow old. She was my hero. Anytime I might think that I am too old to start something I will think of Dorothy. As a for instance…about 2 years ago she started having a beach house built, and this past winter she was able to live in her new house. Apparently (so she told me), some of her friends that she was silly to be doing such a project at her age. In the past 2 years Dorothy had a ball planning her house, meeting new people, having a party for the construction crew..new I continue? That sounds much better to me than waiting to die.
For Dorothy being ‘too old’ was not an option.
Dorothy you will be missed by many people.