For Lorene

   Today is a sad day among my circle of blogging friends. Sometime yesterday we lost one of our own. Lorene was a beautiful woman with three terrific kids and I can only imagine what her mother and family are going through tonight. At the time I'm writing this I don't know any details, but I do know that she will be missed by so many people.

   I never met Lorene in person, but I knew her well enough to call her a good friend. We "met" several years ago through an online community of like minded bloggers back when many of us were using the now defunct MSN Spaces platform. Her upbeat and funny posts had a way of touching us all and my best memories of her will be the little videos she made dancing to Britney Spears with her kids.

   We became friends on Facebook, and I'm sure a few holiday and birthday cards went back and forth over the years. She once told me that the relationship I have with my wife was an inspiration to her and I really think that's one of the highest compliments I've ever received.

   I really wish I could say more, but I'm still feeling a little stunned by the sudden loss. I just hope that wherever Lorene is now, she's still dancing.

The Wandering Oak