Today, I woke to the news of another friend's passing.

While it is incomparable to the grief her family is undoubtedly feeling, I am angry at what seems like an endless loss of beautiful, contributing, thoughtful individuals to the world this past year.

Where is the sense?

I can't answer that question tonight, so I will leave you with some of their diamonds...

Triece - that humour is possible anywhere

Catherine - that you can always find your way home

Kathi - that the facilitator will be tested

Catherine C. - the story of her mother's pearls

Eric and Adrienne - in addition to their inspiration as individuals, the tenacity, determination and love of their mothers, Kathy and Alison, who remind me very much of my own

Cheryl - that it's better to sing terrified than want to and not

Chantal - singing "Clouds" together and the blue guitar she played so beautifully

Jamie - the support of his community and grace of his dad and family

Jan - to eat that bloody chocolate-chip cookie and not worry about it and, more importantly, how to dance when the music stops playing

Zoë - Rock it, sister, tonight we're burning down the house