On April 26th, the end of an era came. A long time friend, and virtual mother, Thelma, died after a bout with cancer. Thelma produced a set of six children, several of whom have long been my closest friends. I spent endless hours at Thelma's house playing with her kids and she was always considerate and providing. At 73, she is finally gone, but hardly forgotten, having had an enormous influence on the lives of myself and many others. Her offspring are some of the most honest, decent and perceptive people I have come to meet and I wouldn't be the same without them.