I moved to Australia for a couple years in my early 20s. While living in Sydney I became romantically entangled with a man visiting Australia and traveling around the world. He invited me to come with him, so in late 1972 I abruptly left the country to join him, leaving behind three beloved roommates and many other friends, a catering business, and a burgeoning modeling career.

Among the many friends I left behind in Sydney in 1972 was a man named Albie Thoms, who back then was a radical underground filmmaker. We recently reconnected via the Internet, and I learned that he'd become a respected figure in the Australian film industry during the past 40 years. Sadly, I also I learned that he was facing terminal cancer. He invited me to come visit, and to back up his offer he sent me a round-trip plane ticket. I flew over as quickly as I could but he died a few days before I arrived.

But Albie had encouraged me to come regardless, so I made the most of my trip. I saw many other old friends, visited some old haunts, and attended a joyous celebration of Albie's life along with some 1200 industry movers and shakers. Thank you, Albie, this was an opportunity I never expected and for which I'll always be grateful.