Despite my obvious lack of frequency when updating this blog, I certainly do think a lot about what I would like to post. Since my last post I wanted to write and post photos of an amazing concert experience I had when I went to see Simon and Garfunkel while they were here in Melbourne at the end of June. I was also incredibly lucky to see them at a secret gig of sorts near where my folks live in the Yarra Valley. I have been a fan since I dug out one of their albums from my parents' old record collection. All in all, I have credited this as being among my happiest memories.
But all of this seems pretty distant in my memory as recently my friend Penny was diagnosed as terminally ill with primary liver cancer, and passed away last Sunday morning (23 August). Her funeral was yesterday. She was only 29, with her 30th birthday not until 27 November.
I have been reflecting on the memories I shared with Penny, and there were many wonderful memories indeed. I don't know if I realised how much of my life was entwined with hers, and see how we grew from teenagers to adults together.
I visited her in Japan in 2003, and Vancouver in 2005, both places she was living and teaching English, and now consider how fortunate I am to have had these unique experiences with her.
This photo was taken on a teacup-style ride at Tokyo DisneySea and is shows her capacity for humour and enjoyment. We laughed our heads off together so many times.
She was an amazing person, and when we first became friends I couldn't believe it. My closest friends now were actually all in the year above me at school, so I was in a position to admire them as the 'cool' kids while growing up. But Penny was special by anyone's standards. Funny as hell, bright, and with a self belief that allowed her to march to the beat of her own drum and carry the rest of us along for the ride. She was creative and so much fun.
There are so many things and so much to say. I'm sure I'll share funny anecdotes as they come to me, but for now I will just say that I miss her, and can't believe that she's actually gone.Big love to you hombre.
Tracy
