“We’ve Lost A Friend.” Tera Patricks 1959-2006.

People come and go, but life goes on. So it is with a heavy heart that I bring you news of Tera.

I lost my very best friend. Tera Jean Patricks.

Saturday afternoon, I received a phone call from her parents. Tera was staying at their home near Los Angeles.

She passed away early Saturday morning following a long bout with cancer. Tera was 46.

We first met over 20 years ago. Tera taught a business seminar that I attended while still in college. I was attraced to her thoughtful, energetic, no nonsense approach to life and business.

Tera was a teacher, a writer, a business partner, and a kind and gifted friend to many.

Through the years of our friendship, the sad times, good times, prosperous and poor times, Tera instilled in me a practical view of life, and a desire to learn, examine, and challenge.

Though severely ill for the past few years, even while dying, Tera somehow managed to teach me more about living than I could have imagined possible.

Last weekend, Alexis and I, and a few other friends visited with Tera and her family.

She smiled and talked fondly, not of the past, but of her friends and family. Tera held Alexis’ baby and smiled. Then the baby smiled. Tera said it was gas but didn’t say whose gas. Then they napped together.

At times, Tera’s voice and grasp was strong. Other times, she spoke barely more than a whisper, with only enough strength for a touch.

Regardless, for our Sunday afternoon visit, that glittering light in Tera’s eyes never left. While she was awake, we snacked, laughed, and talked on the phone with a few old friends who could not make the journey.

Before Alex and I left, Tera gave me her diary—and firm instructions to continue publishing the TeraTalks journal.

Tera wished the best for everyone, especially those less fortunate. We’ll miss her.

“Remember, nothing improves without change,” Tera told me again and again. I won’t forget.