Sweet Dreams, Dot Stanley

Jean called me tonight in California and told me you died two days ago in Richmond.

Just.
Like.
That.

Your sincerity and laughter was abundant in high school in Roanoke. I can picture you in my mind’s eye, your delicate smile and soothing eyes, your acceptance of anything and everyone about whatever was going on at the time. Never a harsh word.

We kissed on a date, once. We laughed. And danced, as I recall.

I never told you how much I appreciated you at the time, Dot. But you deserve to know. So now, better now than never, thank you.

And thank you, Jean.

We all did the best we could in the early 70s, with no idea what was coming at us, as we became adults and carved out our paths and desires and our sweet, sweet dreams.

California Fire Now the Largest in State History: ‘People Are on Edge’ New York Times,

By TIM ARANGO and JENNIFER MEDINA 8:24 PM ET, August 7, 2018.