“It Warms My Heat”

Tonight was Holley’s Studio 64 Birthday party! As my most sparkly and disco loving friend it was only appropriate that we celebrate with her this way. I, in no way have the sparkly wardrobe required to be a friend of Holley’s so I am ever thankful she keeps me around all these years.

I am thankful that she too is around. ALS is the most awful disease, and Holley is a champ. Talking was Holley’s thing and to be robbed of her voice has been cruel. I miss hearing her say, “Hi, Honey.” But I still hear it in my head every time I see her.

Now Holley “talks” to us with her phone, typing out her thoughts. Sometimes the typing is slightly off. Tonight when Jan and I were saying our goodbyes and I was leaning down to give Holley’s frail little body a big hug, I whispered how much I adore and love her. She typed a tiny message, “It warms my heat.” All the friends standing with us all got a big laugh. It may have been a slip of an unsure finger, but it was funny, as Holley is and always has been a great wit.

All her family was dressed in their disco finery. There were sequence of many sizes. She typed, “Paul will be finding these forever.” I figure I will never be able to look at a sequence and not think of Holley. I guess I better go buy some sequenced clothes, it’s never too late to be like Holley. The world is lucky to have her for 64 bright and shiny years.