Mary Anne Zagler 11-11-1931 - 30-09-2011

RIP Mary Anne.
Bak skyene er himmelen alltid blå.

Today marks the passing of a very good friend of ours, Mary Anne Zagler. An incredible, wonderful woman who will be dearly missed. During her 79 years she did many, many things with her life. She was an inspiration to many and exceedingly talented. I am proud and honoured to have known her.

The photograph above is from 2003 and shows her taking a cigarette break at about 2,000 meters up the mountain behind the village we live in. Not sure how many other 71 year old people would have the fortitude and will to get as far as she did. I will raise a glass to her this evening. For the moment, the words of Dylan Thomas are but a small tribute to her:

DO NOT GO GENTLE INTO THAT GOOD NIGHT

Do not go gentle into that good night,
Old age should burn and rage at close of day;
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Though wise men at their end know dark is right,
Because their words had forked no lightning they
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Good men, the last wave by, crying how bright
Their frail deeds might have danced in a green bay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

Wild men who caught and sang the sun in flight,
And learn, too late, they grieved it on its way,
Do not go gentle into that good night.

Grave men, near death, who see with blinding sight
Blind eyes could blaze like meteors and be gay,
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.

And you, my father, there on the sad height,
Curse, bless me now with your fierce tears, I pray.
Do not go gentle into that good night.
Rage, rage against the dying of the light.