A Death in the AC Community: Betty Malone Gone but Not Forgotten

I have become attached to many writers of the Associated Content community. Some have become my heroes like Tony Vega and Alban Mehling. Some have become a friendly soul mate like Will Stape.

Others have humbled me with unwavering support like Kim Linton and Amy Browne. Many have inspired me like Angel Vee and Lyn Lomasi.

There are those that have challenged me like Sheryl Young, Julia Beirutt and Carol Bengle Gilbert or made me think like Donald Pennington and Hartley Engel.

Others have taught me like Kristie Leong and Carol Roach. Lastly, many have touched me like Joy Messer and Linda Ann Nickerson.

These people have become more than friends. They are now members of my extended family. I rely on their wisdom, their kindness, and their support. Without them, I dare say I wouldn't still be here.

A newer friend, but one that I had already grown to love was Betty Malone. We came from the opposite ends in politics yet she never once resorted to bullying tactics to try to win me to her side. Instead, she simply challenged me to research and rethink certain positions. Her sudden death has hit me in ways I cannot adequately explain.

This woman had a heart the size of Texas and a soul as pure as newly fallen snow. You could count on her to buck you up when the going got tough or to lend a shoulder when you could no longer stand the pain. She was sweet, kind, unassuming and positively delightful. In fact, there are not enough superlatives to express everything this amazing woman was.

Trying to write through burning tears makes me realize just how much Betty really touched my life. There was something about her that made me adore her after one simple email exchange. In short, she touched me; one heart to another.

Something my granddaughter said this weekend seems to apply here. After watching "Marley and Me" for the umpteenth time, I asked her how she could watch such a sad movie over and over again. She looked at me and answered, "it's not a sad movie; it's a happy one."

I queried further outlining the fact that Marley dies in the end. With a look of utter frustration on her face she responded, "Nana, it's not sad to be loved. Marley's family loved him here on earth. Jesus will love him just as much in heaven." Out of the mouth of babes, indeed.

I will grieve the loss of Betty's friendship. However, I can also take comfort in knowing that she is being taken care of by someone who loves her just as much as the rest of us did.

I will also take comfort knowing that Betty's amazing writing will live on in the annals of Associated Content and elsewhere. She will be teaching, inspiring, encouraging, and challenging writers, philosophers, Christians and more for generations to come. That's a wonderful legacy in addition to her personal one of family and friends.

I wish I had written this while she was still alive. I should have told her how much she meant to me, but I did not. Of that, I am ashamed.

You held out a hand
When others did not.
You accepted me
Without a forethought.

You laughed at yourself
And at others too.
You firmly believed
No one should feel blue.

You shared your kind heart
When it was needed.
You opened your soul
To the defeated.

You challenged the mind
And spoke from the heart.
It was this and more
That set you apart.

Though you are now gone
You live with us still
Inside every thought
Challenging each will.

Your strength and beauty
Will live on ever
In the words you wrote
And each endeavor.

You won't be forgotten
Of that I am sure.
For we're rarely graced
With a soul so pure.

I love you, Betty. You were a delightful friend that gave so much more that I could ever return. I will never forget you!

Join in Lori Lane's challenge to make Betty a millionaire by reading her work and promoting it. You won't be sorry that you did. You'll walk away with some "gem" of thought, a piece of knowledge, or the feeling that you have been truly blessed. What more can anyone ask?