I have so much I want to tell you. But instead this blog is dedicated to friends lost.  This winter so far hasn’t been kind to so many. The flu season and the weather have brought sadness to many. Normally, I do not share personal tragedies, but I share them because as a writer, I could not create these two heroes if I tried. As the New Year rang in a friend, a husband, a father, a son, a firefighter succumbed to a brain tumor. He fought seven long years, hopeful, caring and devoted. He never gave up as he endured so much, raising funds for research and in the end leaving a legacy of devotion to his wife and children.

This tragedy was followed by a loss of a young man, who bravely fought the demons of heroin addiction. His death occurred on the anniversary of his friend’s death by the same demon. Both these young man left behind grieving families and adults wondering why. As a parent, the pain I see in my children’s eyes from losing someone they care about is heartbreaking.

The next loss occurred in a senseless accident. A mom taken when a car broadsided her. Senseless–yes. Accident–yes.

And the most recent loss occurred just days ago and hit me the hardest of all. A woman who embraced me and welcomed me into the Lupus survivor community succumbed to complications of the disease. Complications made worse by a medical community that is ill equipped to deal with the complicated disease. I an area that is considered a health-care desert where choices to chose a new physician are not there. Where specialists are hours away. As a Lupus survivor, living in the New York metropolitan area, I am blessed by a plethora of physicians. And I as my own best advocate do not tolerate bad care, and believe me there are plenty of bad providers. My friends death has left me angry, soul-searching and appreciative. These emotions swirl like a tornado in my head.

In closing, my dear readers, I appreciate you as your words of encouragement buoy me. I look forward to share with you the exciting things including the release of Secure Again–Martin “Farmer” Bailey’s story. In the meantime, be well.