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From imagesinwords:

Ann and I became fast friends on Vampire Rave, more than 10 years ago. I referred her as a Dominar, appointed her my Assistant House Master, and referred her to take my place as Master of House Eternal when I moved into the role of Regent. We spoke every day in some manner- on the phone, text, VR message, or Facebook. We talked too long, interrupting my dinner cooking, needing to leave the house on time for various things, interrupting my grocery shopping, and even sleep (lol, and all the same for her). She flew to New Orleans three times and stayed with me, as well as coming across the Canadian/US border to have dinner with my husband who was on business in Detroit- and smuggle him some Cuban rum as a gift).

Knowing my son is a major pasta freak- she twice shipped cases of various pastas to our home. She also spent *way too much money* sending me imported tea from England because she knew I loved it and couldn't buy it here. From her I have books, jewelry items, a few t-shirts, and a handmade a scarf she made for me for Christmas this past year. Things are just "things" you might say- but Cancer says "Thoughts are Things"- and Ann has taught me these "things" are her thoughts.

On her visit just over a week ago, we went to a fabric store I took her to last time so she could browse. On her last visit, she spent $150 on high end fabrics and accessories to make me these fleur de lis throw pillows. She was diagnosed with cancer shortly thereafter, and couldn't get around to making them. She brought me all the materials back to NOLA, and on our trip back to the store she saw some ribbon she far preferred over what she'd purchased before, and it was a highly illogical expenditure- $61 on this ribbon for a person who's a crappy seamstress (me). "It's gotta be the meds," I told myself... But surely she knew just what she was doing. It was, after all, no different behavior than in her healthy years.

We did lots of fun things on her previous trips to NOLA, but just a little over a week ago she treated me to two amazing events- the Lestat Vampire Ball, and the Endless Nights Vampire Ball. She grooved in her wheelchair, chatted up with the attendees, and inhaled a serving of jambalaya. She couldn't get around easily, but she did not wallow. She colored in her adult coloring books every time she went to "rest", just 10 days ago she was fervently whipple-stitching on her ball gown because the zipper was messed up. She wanted to go to church with us on Sunday- and our church, although Episcopal, has an exact mass as the Catholic Church... She stood up from her wheelchair every time in reverence as the rest of the people, standing any length of time as required. When we weren't out and about, we power-watched the Food Network and YouTube videos via Apple TV of "Sorted". We had a good time. She treated me to all my favorite restaurants as well, and insisted on attending my son's National Honor Society induction. I didn't sleep a wink all week- staying up to take care of things, and keeping my eye on the clock to wake her up to take her medications.

For months up to the visit we all understood that they would be leaving on November 3, but a shock as Ann went to bed on the 1st, her mom's alarm went off reminding her of their departure in the morning. They were not ready at all, and Ann was wiped out. I didn't even lie down that night, doing their laundry and packing Ann's luggage as she was too weak. The morning was a rush, and we dropped them off at the train station with, well... kind of a "see ya later" hug, as they were running behind and needed to get checked in ASAP. I knew I needed to get a better goodbye- but I also knew that she would *never* leave me. I still feel her here right now.

She didn't get to take part in the Orlando festivities she'd planned of Disney and Harry Potter World, as she had a stroke on the day of arrival. Her last celebrations of life were here in New Orleans, where she and her mom piped-dreamed as we drove around that she would get well, move here, start a new community acupuncture business, and hire me to run her administrative end. Her mother told me when she was napping, "Know that she loves you guys, and will watch over you when she's gone." Ann very matter of fact-like and nonchalantly told me (while putting on her makeup for the ball) that she was sure she would die in the month of November. It was hard to imagine that could be true, as she stood in front of the mirror with new color added to her face... Replacing what the disease had taken away.

Ann knew/knows more about me than anyone in the whole world. We had more in common than any other person I've known. She accepted me 100% and never showed me an ounce of disapproval. Not sure I'll ever have a friend like that again.

She was just here... I'm drinking her orange juice- and there's a still some Cokes left from the loot she bought me while here. That's just how quick this has been.