Goodbye for now to my dear friend Margie, with whom I shared literally decades of experiences beginning with a stint as her visiting teacher when there were still eight kids running around her house and she was confined to bed with back problems. Over the years I learned this about Margie: She loved Gene, she loved her kids, she was intelligent and witty, generous, and committed to doing good in the world. Our friendship waxed and waned through the years as we both moved around Texas and got wrapped up in the business of everyday living, but in the last few years (before I moved out of state) we spent hours sharing stories and memories while noshing on crawfish at Pappadeaux or burgers at Vautrot's or just chatting in her study at the house in Nome. One important lesson I took away from those visits is this: There is room for tolerance and diversity in this world, something truly that is in short supply. If Margie, the FOX News conservative, and I, the Bernie Sanders liberal Democrat, could manage to get along so well, there's hope for the future. Godspeed, Margie!

Basket of Memories was purchased for the family of Margie Katherine Barry.

Arrive in Style was purchased for the family of Margie Katherine Barry.

Jeanette Will-Jones lit a candle in memory of Margie Katherine Barry

Stephanie Allen lit a candle in memory of Margie Katherine Barry

Sacred Garden Spray was purchased for the family of Margie Katherine Barry.