I'm in the lounge at SFO as I write this, heading home with Conrad from Boise. We'll be back at the condo early this afternoon. A short trip to Idaho done, and one we wish hadn't had to happen this way.
I met Gina I don't know how many years ago thanks to our work in our association. In 2014, she and I were elected to the executive board, and that bonded us. Three years of working together, sitting next to each other in meetings and passing notes. The accidental coordination of our outfits when we were installed on the board.
The getting to know her wife Kathy, them getting to know Conrad. Gina's career took her out of libraries after our experience on the board, but we have remained friends. Conrad and I attended Gina and Kathy's wedding,
the two of them came to California for a Disneyland weekend with us.
About a month ago, Gina let me know that Kathy had been having some health problems, and at last they had been diagnosed. As late stage pancreatic cancer. There wasn't hope for a cure, just some relief. And even that hope was evanescent. Kathy died on Easter. I cried at the news and since then. Just so unfair. I usually keep these blog posts happy and light. I won't post much about experiences I hate, and I usually try to find good things to say. So forgive the profanity: fuck cancer.
Gina sent out word of when the memorial service would take place, and Conrad said to me, we have to go. Yes, we did. We absolutely did.
No, no photos from the memorial, though it was lovely. Kathy was devoutly Catholic, and this reflected in the service and also in what seemed to be many people from her congregation in attendance. Truly, it was a large number celebrating her life, at least 200. Gina was able to speak to us all, and she told us some loving things, some funny things. At the reception that followed, we got to talk with Gina a couple of times and give her our love, but we also got to hear a little more from others there about Kathy, which was so delightful. But no, no photos from the memorial.
Conrad and I made the most of our time in Boise, all things considered, and Boise made the most of things as well. It's spring there - trees in bloom,
young leaves painting the branches that fresh green. Mild, even warm weather. We arrived in time for a nice steak dinner at The BrickYard,
plus some oysters
and a bottle of an Idaho red wine,
on Wednesday. On Thursday, we went to Modern Bar and Restaurant and had excellent cocktails (the Celery and Smoke was mine, and it was so good),
plus more oysters,
bread service,
duck curry for me,
halibut for Conrad,
and a warm chocolate cake for dessert.
And then we packed up and got ourselves to bed for an early departure.
Boise is a handsome city
in a state that has cruel and awful politics. I hope we'll go back to see Gina. She's absolutely welcome to come see us as well. We won't get to see Kathy again, but as we did multiple times the past few days, we can raise a glass to her memory and be glad we called her a friend.
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