Farewell dear one.

There are times in life when a person appears and has such a profound impact on one's being that no words can adequately capture the significance of that meeting.  I was blessed to meet a beloved family friend when I travelled to New Zealand in 2012.  She alighted from an airport shuttle and the connection was instant.  It was as if we had known each other forever.  We dumped her baggage, poured a glass of wine, lit a ciggie each and started talking.  We didn't stop talking for her entire stay.  If I had to hazard a guess at this mutual fondness, I would say we were simply re-connecting.  We just knew each other.  We laughed until we cried, we spoke of hard times and difficult subjects, we wept and comforted each other.  She inspired me to invent a cartoon strip about a kiwi called Kevin and encouraged me as no one ever has before.  She was forthright and wise, an indomitable spirit who was as stubborn as a mule, yet as kind as could be.  Bright and funny, completely open minded.  It was not unknown to find her floating around naked in the pool, glass in hand or getting completely soaked on the slippery slide, even though her health wasn't great.  We swore to tandem bungey jump off the Auckland bridge next time I visited New Zealand and whenever she phoned me she reminded me about that promise.  I felt so free to be able to say whatever I wanted to in her presence.  I had never had a relationship with an older woman in which this was possible.   Dotty taught me the true meaning of unconditional love. She believed in me and by doing so, restored my faith in me.  She left the world today and later as the sun goes down, I shall sit quietly and chat to her with a glass of wine and a ciggie. I will send her my love and overwhelming gratitude for her enormous contribution to my life. I bet I will hear her laugh and say "You were worth it."