It is with great regret that we must inform you of a tragic loss. On our long journey we have been blessed with many beautiful and wondrous sites. We have met some truly remarkable people and even made new friends. Sadly, today we lost a valued companion. Our hearts feel heavy with remorse and loss. So goes the passing of Madge (aka: Jane) our GPS friend and guardian.
Yes, it's true, our intrepid guide has shuffled off this digital coil. We are heartened by knowing that she is in better place and can share her tales of the road with other lost screens. It happened on a blistering and humid day as she led us toward that night's home. She gave it her all but finally succumbed to the pressures of bad data and lack of current map updates. She lived by the map and died by the map; that's the way she would have chosen to go.
Now we must celebrate her life with heavy souls and find a way to move on. For those of you who were't fortunate enough to know her, here are some snippets from the transcripts of the memorial service:
Bio:
Madge was adopted in her youth by Susan over three years ago. Right from the beginning there was an obvious connection. With each mile traveled, the bond grew deeper. In late Spring 2010 Rodney and Susan met (after 28 years) again in Sedona, AZ and as part of this romantic interlude, he met Madge for the first time. The kindred spirits hit it off famously.
What's this Madge/Jane thing? Well, the lass had secrets..... Not until the last month did we find that our trusted pathfinder's real name was Jane. Apparently, there was some sort of "incident" and she had run off to Australia to avoid complications/arrest. The real story behind the ruse will remain a mystery as Jane/Madge took the truth with her to her eternal dirt nap.
Rodney says: "There was always something about Madge/Jane and me that led us to having a love-hate relationship. She was my mentor and friend but at times the bane of my existence. She was helpful but at times obtuse. Her incessant bossiness and arrogance was hard to ignore as she was correct far more than she erred. Can't say she knew me well but I think there was mutual admiration. My u-turns impressed her. I was amazed at the depth of her knowledge. I guess we were just too much alike. She always took my 'Madge you ignorant slut.' comments in stride. I loved her and will miss her but I learned much from her devotion and focus. Bye sweet GPS Queen.
Susan says: "Madge kept me on the straight and narrow through many years; she was my only friend on a long trip along through the deserts of Arizona. She led me without error through many a questionable neighborhoods in LA, into the mountains around Mount Pinos, and up and down the southern California coast, the Olympic Peninsula, and Montana. Then she led Rodney and I on many an interesting byway until -- unexpectedly, her character changed. What happened to my sweet, straightforward Madge? She turned into 'Jane, you ignorant slut', who led us down wrong roads, into endless U-turns, and finally quit us on a hot humid day when we really needed to locate a swimming pool. Her brain fried. But, I so missed her/her while trying to find our way around the backroads of Missouri with only a map and poor road signage for guidance. May she/she rest well under the cool pines near Eureka Springs.
The service was followed by a brief photo session -- see below. We are devastated and inconsolable. Life goes on........ Susan replaced her immediately.
Love and upgrades,
Rodney and Susan
ps. We need a name for our new pathfinder. Got any ideas?
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