. . . and then there are losses that are personal

We received the news of this last night, and today I posted the following on facebook. I decided to share it here as well.

Feeling sad and mourning the loss of one of my Imaginary Internet Friends. Louis was a true gentleman and a real life cowboy, a storyteller and a poet, an avid reader who enjoyed the romance genre. He was a veteran of the US Navy who once described seeing San Francisco from aboard ship by quoting Carl Sandburg. A man of few words, yet his descriptions of life on his horse ranch never failed to captivate and charm. He died last week — “drifted off gently in his sleep” according to a daughter-in-law — at the age of 90. He was a dear friend who enriched my life in so many ways. His absence from our community will be keenly felt. Rest in peace, Louis.