It was a different time Terry. We were free in a sense. Thoughts of what could go wrong never entered our minds. How wrong we were. Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate the kindness.
Your heartfelt tribute captures the complexity of friendship—the joy, the sorrow, and the eternal bond that transcends time and space.
Your story is an ode to Anne-Marie, a best friend whose radiance lit up your youth and left an indelible mark on your soul. Together, you embraced life's adventures with reckless abandon, creating memories full of laughter, daring, and shared secrets. Amid the brightness, shadows appeared: Linda's tragic loss and Anne-Marie's hidden struggles with addiction, which you faced with courage and love. Her passing was deeply painful but transformative, as even in death, she became a source of guidance and strength for you.
Thank you for this lovely thoughtful message. She was a wonderful friend and the idea that she cared after life was precious to me. When our loved ones die, they don't disappear, their souls linger around when we need them.
What a sad ending to your beautiful friendship. I feel the same about my reckless youth. We were just lucky that we didn't meet the same fate as Linda. The Universe hasn't finished with us yet. Sending you love. Virg
Rea, I recognise much of what you shared here in myself and my soul sister who passed 10 years ago. Circumstances and times vastly different, but that connection, reckless invincibility during our youth in pursuit of a great time, free entry to all the good clubs in Joburg and the pain of losing her, I can relate to. I started writing about her on the 11th of April, it was (or should've been) her 40th birthday. Thank you for sharing 🖤
This broke me open in the most tender way. What a fierce, beautiful, and heartbreaking tribute. Your friendship with Anne-Marie was the kind that doesn’t just light up a life—it defines it. The wild nights, the fierce loyalty, the unbearable grief—thank you for honoring her so vividly. I feel like I knew her a little now, through your words. What a soul. What a loss. What a love.
She truly shines through your words, Rea. I can feel how deeply she was loved—and how deeply she loved in return. Thank you for letting us see her, not just as a memory, but as the radiant, complicated, unforgettable soul she was. I'm honoured to have read this. ❤️
Dear Rea, I am so very sorry that you lost Anne-Marie. It is unbearably hard to lose a part of ourselves. Alcohol is a cruel, relentless, and unforgiving master.
I am glad that her spirit lives on in you. We are never truly apart from those we love. Those people change us, and we carry their spirit with us through all our future (mis)adventures!
Very sorry for the loss of your friend. Alcohol can really take a hold of one's life and never let go. I've seen it happen to family members with not very good results.
Ann Marie suffered from a common disease but she could not have chosen a better friend than you. That she and your son still visit and care for you does not surprise me in the least. Take care, friend.
I felt all of the adventures, risks and friendship in this extraordinary tribute. So much vivid detail and the optimism and recklessness of youth.
It was a different time Terry. We were free in a sense. Thoughts of what could go wrong never entered our minds. How wrong we were. Thank you for reading and commenting. I appreciate the kindness.
Canada 🇨🇦 K1R 7X1 April 12, 2025
Hello Rea,
Your heartfelt tribute captures the complexity of friendship—the joy, the sorrow, and the eternal bond that transcends time and space.
Your story is an ode to Anne-Marie, a best friend whose radiance lit up your youth and left an indelible mark on your soul. Together, you embraced life's adventures with reckless abandon, creating memories full of laughter, daring, and shared secrets. Amid the brightness, shadows appeared: Linda's tragic loss and Anne-Marie's hidden struggles with addiction, which you faced with courage and love. Her passing was deeply painful but transformative, as even in death, she became a source of guidance and strength for you.
Please remember Humanity in your prayers,
Simply Richard (MD, PhD(2), DBA)
-30-
Thank you for this lovely thoughtful message. She was a wonderful friend and the idea that she cared after life was precious to me. When our loved ones die, they don't disappear, their souls linger around when we need them.
Oh, this breaks my heart, I'm so sorry you went through this. This such a beautiful tribute to your dear friend. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Gabrielle. She's an angel. I'm grateful she was in my life.
Holy shit Rea. Im so sorry. Thank you for letting us in so close to you. ❤️❤️❤️🫂🫂🫂
Thank you for responding Sean. My lovely friend battled her demons. But she was strong at the end. 🫂
❤️❤️❤️😭
So sorry for the loss of your friend, Rea.
Thank you Joe. ❤️
Friendship is a love that can transcend all! I talk more about that here https://open.substack.com/pub/jes321/p/dressing-together?r=1yhozx&utm_medium=ios
Thank you!
What a sad ending to your beautiful friendship. I feel the same about my reckless youth. We were just lucky that we didn't meet the same fate as Linda. The Universe hasn't finished with us yet. Sending you love. Virg
We are lucky. It could have been any of us. Thank you Virginia.
Rea, I recognise much of what you shared here in myself and my soul sister who passed 10 years ago. Circumstances and times vastly different, but that connection, reckless invincibility during our youth in pursuit of a great time, free entry to all the good clubs in Joburg and the pain of losing her, I can relate to. I started writing about her on the 11th of April, it was (or should've been) her 40th birthday. Thank you for sharing 🖤
Oh my god, I'm sorry you lost your soul sister. It's heartbreaking. It was the best time of my life. Sending love. ❤️❤️
Heartbreaking, Rea. All of it. I feel like I know you a little better with each post. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you Lindsay.
This broke me open in the most tender way. What a fierce, beautiful, and heartbreaking tribute. Your friendship with Anne-Marie was the kind that doesn’t just light up a life—it defines it. The wild nights, the fierce loyalty, the unbearable grief—thank you for honoring her so vividly. I feel like I knew her a little now, through your words. What a soul. What a loss. What a love.
I'm happy it touched you Sar. She was a beautiful person and my life was blessed by her friendship. Thank you for your lovely comment. ❤️
She truly shines through your words, Rea. I can feel how deeply she was loved—and how deeply she loved in return. Thank you for letting us see her, not just as a memory, but as the radiant, complicated, unforgettable soul she was. I'm honoured to have read this. ❤️
🙏🙏
Dear Rea, I am so very sorry that you lost Anne-Marie. It is unbearably hard to lose a part of ourselves. Alcohol is a cruel, relentless, and unforgiving master.
I am glad that her spirit lives on in you. We are never truly apart from those we love. Those people change us, and we carry their spirit with us through all our future (mis)adventures!
Thank you Mike. Yes it is a cruel master. She will always be in my heart. ❤️❤️
Very sorry for the loss of your friend. Alcohol can really take a hold of one's life and never let go. I've seen it happen to family members with not very good results.
Thank you Nancy. Yes it destroys lives wherever it goes. Indiscriminately.
Hey Rea,
Ann Marie suffered from a common disease but she could not have chosen a better friend than you. That she and your son still visit and care for you does not surprise me in the least. Take care, friend.
She was a wonderful person. I was fortunate to have met her. 💞
Thank you for your kind words Libertarian. 🙏
Thank you Emma. Some people touch our lives in infinite ways. It lasts forever in our hearts.
I enjoy your posts! 💞