Friends minus one, again

I’ve just learned that my friend, Karen Staton, was killed in a car accident over the Memorial day weekend.

I do not know the full details. I’m not sure I want to.

This is the seventh straight year that someone I know has died. Traditionally, I do not handle this news well.

But no one will be picking me up off a bathroom floor tonight. I’m numb to it now. Because 2004 has claimed two. One I didn’t know all that well, and one I liked very much.

The kind of friend who will loan you her car, just because you ask.

The kind of friend who buys the beer.

The kind of friend that makes you happy when she moves to your town.

The kind of friend to whom you can loan books.

The kind of friend that your girlfriend likes, and spends time with when you are not around.

The kind of friend that I hope I am to all of you who might read this.

I haven’t seen her in two years, nor have I spoken to her in that time. She was a part of my old, “travel around the country and talk to people lifestyle,” and I’ve lost touch with quite a few of my companions on that journey.

Tommorow, I’m making a bunch of phone calls. I should have been making them before. There are things I’d like to say to a lot of them.

I’ll miss you, Karen. Good bye.

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