We know how life takes us in different directions and we slowly lose contact with friends, only to reconnect years later.

When my mom passed in April 2006, she had recently reconnected with her friend Carmelita. I could not locate her phone number to inform her of my mom's passing. A few weeks later, she called and I had to deliver the news.

I had not seen nor talked with her since my sister and I were kids. I told her I would send the obituary as she had asked. However, the stress of such a loss and the business side that comes with it lead me to procrastination. It was one of those things I just could not find time to get to but never forgot about it.

In October 2022, while preparing to launch this project, I felt the need to at least attempt to find her and send her my mom's obituary. I remembered where she lived but did not know the street name or address, and did not have a phone number. A little investigation provided me some details. I mailed her the obituary and the photo above with a letter, hoping I got the right house.

One Sunday morning she called me and tearfully thanked me. She talked about how she met my mother at Lever Brothers and how they would always converse about their families. She shared stories about her sons, husband, parents and her upbringing. I was surprised to learn she was the prom date of Reginald F. Lewis, a Baltimore legend and business magnate that I admired greatly.

My sister and I had planned to reconnect with her during the upcoming Christmas holiday. She had previously informed me that she had some health issues.

When I reached out to her in December 2022, she had been hospitalized. I wished her a speedy recovery and informed her to reach out only when she was feeling up to it. One day while speaking with my sister, I realized a few months had passed and informed her I was going to call to see how she was doing. I had an odd feeling. I knew she had a Facebook page  because we spoke of this when we initially spoke. I searched for the page and was broken hearted to learn via another account that she had passed in February 2023. This was the same time a close friend of mine I grew up with passed.

My sister and I were disappointed that we did not get the chance to reconnect in person. But I was thankful I got the opportunity to speak with her and send her the photo that singularly defines my memory of her, as well as my mom's obituary that she requested 16 years earlier.