Losing a friend, a piece of the past

Today I received a letter stating that a longtime friend had passed on. I am bitterly sweet right now, as she was 102 years young !!! She was one of the people that I knew from when I was young and still had a first piano teacher (I've had 3 or 4
over the years). She would write and tell me how wonderful my letters were, I don't believe that I possess such creative talent to enthrall many, but if I can get the point across then I have done my job.
She grew up in a wholly different America. When she went to the University of Rochester, Howard Hanson was coming into his own career. He became music director of the Eastman School of Music, he was a recognized composer. My friend was there to go to college when most women were looking to marry and settle down to have children. She forged ahead with dreams of her own and never looked back. I guess she never had to justify her decision as she played organ for the church. I guess when God is on your side, no bully can match his strength.
She is to me, a role model that every woman should have; a woman with strength, character, self secure. Many women today can have a lot more on their plate than women of my mother's generation, nor my grandmothers generation. They can pick and choose their way through life, pick their significant other, put on any piece of clothing without being snickered at by a male eye. If she were to say some last words it would be, say the truth, stand up for what you believe in and don't let a man talk you down or into something not worthy of YOU !!!!