I don't really know where to begin with this post. Behind it is a very long story, one of love and friendship that never waivered. It's also a story of loss.

My best friend from High School was Anita Hollos. We met when I was a new student at Pine Tree High School in Longview, Texas. The year was 1976. We became almost inseparable from the start. We hung out together, studied together, double dated together, stayed at each other's houses. Where you found one of us, you could bet the other was close at hand. We were lively, hard headed and sometimes mischievious. Typical teenage girls.

As we grew into young women, we remained close. Always in contact. Either through phone calls or letters. From 1977 up until around 2003. At that time, we lost contact with each other.

The last contact I had with Anita, she was in the process of getting ready to move to a new house. She didn't have a land line and was going to change her cell phone carrier because the one she currently had didn't offer service near her new place. Remember, this was 2003 and cell phones and service was still in its infancy. I didn't have a house phone either. I too was changing cell carrier and moving to a different residence. So, we lost contact.

I have tried many many many times, over the years to find Anita. Last night my searching came to an end.

I discovered that Anita passed away on April 30th, 2016 at the age of 54 in Wichita, Kansas.

I'm heartbroken.

Rest in Peace and Love, Anita. I will forever love you, miss you and cherish the memories in my heart.

I want to say a few words about a great lady and former co-worker, Anita Hollos.  I knew Anita when I worked as a service representative with the Kansas Veterans Commission in Lawrence.  Anita worked for the American Legion in the Wichita VA hospital and she was an amazing person, always nice and upbeat and a joy to be around.  She worked tirelessy for veterans and I could always count on Anita for advice and support.  Fair winds and following seas Anita, you will be missed.