A close friend of my family from my childhood died Sunday in a small plane crash outside of Castroville, Texas. They believe she was flying (it was her plane), but the actual cause may not be known for a long time.

She and I had not been in touch for a long time. I had only seen her once in the past 15 years or so, almost exactly one year ago at my sister’s wedding. She’s just the kind of person where you know the world is a better place because she is in it.

At the very least, to the extent any consolation can come to those who remember her, she died doing something she absolutely loved (flying) with someone she cared about. Maybe, looking at the sum of a person’s life and the people they touched while they were here, that is enough.

So long, Susan. I will miss you.