ODE TO MY FRIEND VIV

She lit up the starry skies with her angelic smile and words of wisdom. A lady of class, valour and stature, a quietly religious, dignified woman, who always held her head up high and seldom shed a tear.

She cared about others and not herself, my dearest colleague Viv, who was always there for my fellow colleagues and I during the pandemic.

She wasn’t only my colleague and mentor, but above all my loyal friend. She never judged and held no grudges.

Oh, Viv, how I remember our secret Zoom chats, and trials and tribulations while the world was cold and dark outside during lockdown.

Viv secretly told me exactly a month ago that her first grandchild was on the way. Her eyes glittered with excitement and joy.

Alas, she sadly suddenly passed away. No one saw it coming.

Death knows no denomination, and does not discriminate. It comes like a thief in the night, so live each day as if it’s your last, as you won’t pass this road again. NICOLE GAMAROFF, EMAIL