For Helen Addona

[Ed. note: Word came this past month that Helen Addona was hit by a car and killed while running at 5:45 a.m., near her Newark, N.Y. home. Helen was a 54-year-old petite, raven-haired spit fire, who often finished well ahead of others in her age group. Most of us did not know her, but you might recognize her. She won the F50-54 division at the Skunk Cabbage 10K, with a time of 49 and change. Our sympathy goes out to her family. Cathy Troisi, who often raced against Helen in Rochester-area events, offers this tribute.]

For Helen Addona
There is no tomorrow
There's only today
With some past yesterdays
And memories that say:
I'm glad you were here
That your path crossed with mine
How could we have known
There was so little time.
The times that we shared
At the races we'd meet
Always ahead of me
With your much faster feet.
I remember the most
Your red-hair and sweet face
And continuously marvelled
At your quite speedy pace.
Your absence now poignant
Yet there will be smiles
Remembering the times
We shared those race miles.
-- Cathy Troisi (May 15, 2001)