Dear David, I have to apologize for not communicating with you earlier. I haven’t experienced the loss of a family member in 16 years. Nola’s passing affected me more than the loss of my own father. I read your beautiful composition regarding Nola’s faults (and, of course, we know there were none). It was agonizing to watch her illness take its course. And Nola was so brave and unchanged through her ordeal. When we saw her at work, she was just Nola. Yes, we knew there was a dark cloud nearby, but Nola’s warmth and kindness broke through the cloud and gave us strength. Even while writing this I feel tears lurking, but all it takes is just one memory of Nola (picked at random, because they all were special), and I can smile away the tears. I’m sorry I didn’t attend Nola’s Celebration. It wasn’t that I didn’t care. I have a hard time with funerals, although I know Nola would have said something to allay those feelings. Every time I think of her (and you), I remember our marvelous dinner at your house and the wonderful time we had. Every time I think of Nola, I smile. Her kind words and well placed zingers always brightened my day, and they will continue to do so. I was also the person who had to man the phones, as Terra wasn’t in (her mom just passed away). I took phone duty because there were so many people who had the honor and pleasure of knowing our dear Nola longer than me. Thank you for sharing her with us.