"love that" were her last words to me.

January 2, 2022, and I am already learning a hard life lesson.

My dear friend for more than 20 years passed away suddenly in her sleep. A healthy, happy, and amazing woman was taken from us at just 46 years old.

"Love that" was her response to our planning a lunch date. We were shooting for the 2nd week of December. And, like many of us, life got busy for me. I traveled, wrapped up my career at VNDLY, and had endless Christmas activities to take care of. I intended on getting it set up for this week. While we messaged often and always kept in touch, we hadn't seen each other in a couple of years. I was so excited to go see her new place in the country. She knew I'd love it there.

This is a very hard lesson. It's a reminder that life is a gift and can be taken from us at any time- for any reason or no reason at all.

If you have lunch plans scheduled with an old friend or family, please go. Go see them, hug them tight, and tell them you love them. Don't be too busy to do the important things.

On June 10, 2011, she posted this on my Facebook and I think it is spot-on:

"There are so many different ways lives work out, so many

stories and every one of them is precious: full of joy and heartbreak, and a fair amount of situation comedy. -Amanda McGeorge (RIP)