This has been an emotionally devastating year for T. J. and me. It started with the loss of his mother Vi in the spring, Willie’s bike wreck, followed by Cap Wilson’s death from a heart attack while riding his bike home, the loss of Big Steve Fritz that same week from a health crisis while riding out of state with friends. All these losses were simply tragic. But one that totally blindsided both of us was the loss of Catherine Connearney, the wife of one of T. J.’s childhood buddies, Brendan. I had just met this extraordinary woman in Sturgis, spent our first day sharing some of the most spectacular sights you can see on earth. Exploring The Badlands I snapped this photo of Brendan and Cat the first stop. I knew they were both lifelong AA & NA members who religiously attended meetings to remain clean and sober. That didn’t stop her from being full of life and just plain fun!! They left a day earlier heading all the way back to Punta Gorda, their new-found southern home. Once home they flew to Massachusetts to visit family and friends. I mentioned last month T. J. and I both came down with Covid. We were easily sick a full 10 days and took much longer to get our strength back. Beautiful Catherine and Brendan also got Covid. Less than 4 weeks later…she was gone. Never came off the ventilator. The reason I am writing of this is two-fold. First if you aren’t vaccinated that is your choice, but this disease just took a woman I had looked forward to spending many great trips with. I was robbed of the joy for living she exuded. Her husband and family and friends are crushed. The second reason I felt the need to share this woman’s story is the tributes that people wrote on her timeline upon hearing she was with the angels. It was something that nears sainthood. She touched so many addicts: mothers, daughters, sons, and fathers that were in the very deepest hole of addiction. Her passion and success for living the good life showed them they could be saved. They could find the strength. Many wrote they must carry on for her. Just cannot fathom why God chose this angel so many still needed on Earth. Live a life like Catherine helping others any way you can, kiss someone you love like it may be the very last time and say a prayer for Brendan.