Dixie was my friend. Those of you who share this privilege know the breadth and depth of those four simple words. I first met her 15 years ago and she wasn’t exactly sure about me in the beginning. But over time, through the trials and tribulations of work, we learned we could trust one another and became friends. As I have reflected on that friendship these past few days, three things about Dixie keep coming to mind.
First, is loyalty. Her loyalty was not easily earned, but once you earned it, she was with you until the end of whatever task was at hand. But that loyalty was two-way. She had a standard she expected of you and good luck to you if you strayed from it. But she was there. Whether fighting beside you or cheering from the side, she was ready to help you win. And if winning wasn’t an option, she was there anyway. When I lost my nephews and I walked the darkest roads of my life, blinded by raw grief, she was one of the ones to take my hand and guide me back. She waded into the fray and fought the shadows that crowded around me; a true warrior princess. And as the light returned, she would make a pointed comment, and I would chuckle. And she would say something else, and I would laugh. Then I knew I would be ok.
Which brings me to the second thing about Dixie. Laughter. Laughter ruled her heart, and there were few times when she couldn’t find the humor in just about any situation. It was usually once or twice a week when she called me or I called her and we laughed about some innocent user gaff. It wasn’t out of malice, there’s just some things techies take for granted that every one else doesn’t know. And Dixie knew a lot about her systems. Usually in one of our discussions she would point me at a link with a new widget she’d found and adapted to her use, and I’d dutifully click through to it and it would be suitably impressive. And she’d say, “How cool is that!” And it was pretty cool.
Finally, while laughter may have ruled her heart, love owned the kingdom and Kim wears that crown. Dixie loved her family beyond all measure, without bounds. The fierce love of her family was the focus of her spirit, but it rested on an almost boundless sea of compassion for others. Whether in cross-stitching a blanket for a co-worker’s infant or taking a plant to a new occupant of her office building, Dixie was always thinking of others. Ready with a laugh, a smile and some pointed observation about the world, Dixie could always bring joy to those she loved.
Some of the best times she told me about were when she and Kim were on the bike, cruising the open road, drinking in each new vista, just being together. Dixie understood the journey was important. She was an all-in kind of girl who was passionate about Xena, Harry Potter, and a host of other interests that usually involved swords, horses and dragons. But these paled before her passion for her family. And now she is on a new journey to distant shores. And as she’s riding to a new destination, there may be times when the veil thins, and when next you see a glorious sunset, the sky alive with fire, listen carefully to the wind, for you might just here her say, “How cool is that!”