We live our relatively ordinary lives day to day, hour to hour and minute to minute without thinking much about how our actions can affect others. Then death happens. We suddenly, in a very peculiar way, find ourselves reunited with friends, family and casual acquaintances regardless of spiritual beliefs, social status and political views. We are brought together by a common thread: the loss of someone we cared for.

This past weekend we lost a friend, daughter, sister, mother, wife, cousin, niece, acquaintance. Erica (Bunker) Ponte fought her battle with cancer courageously and fiercely. She was a warrior who picked up her shield, brought it to battle day in and day out and did not go down without a fight. Her presence will be missed immensely by all those whom she touched. Her strength will live on in our hearts, minds and memories. I wrap my arms around you Kenny, Hunter, Shelby, Jake, Susie, John, John and Rodney. Please consider contributing to the fund set up at gofundme.com/help-needed-for-erica-bunker-ponte.

The last few lines of Maya Angelou’s When Great Trees Fall seems particularly relevant to me today:

Our senses, restored, never

to be the same, whisper to us.

They existed. They existed.

We can be. Be and be

better. For they existed.

It seems fitting to mention Daffodil Time, the Martha’s Vineyard Cancer Support Group’s annual spring fundraiser. Bunches of daffodils, at $10 each, will be available for purchase on Friday, March 15, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the hospital lobby and on Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven, Reliable Market and Stop & Shop in Edgartown. For additional information, please contact Sally Lodge at 617-947-1858.

Joannie Jenkinson is doing well after her back surgery a few weeks ago. I’m sure she was glued to the television as her daughter Holly Bario, who’s work at Amblin Partners, earned her a walk down the Red Carpet to watch Green Book win for best picture, best supporting actor and best original screenplay. Another Green Book tie to Chilmark was Maggie Nixon in the role of coat check girl. She is the daughter of Bob and Sarah.

Peter Keene hit the open road and ventured north with his first-grader Liam for a memorable father-son adventure to Stowe, Vt. They caught up with Steve Kelly and clan which added to the fun.

Many of the Noyes-Keene’s and the Knights traveled to Sugarloaf, Me. for some bluebird skies and skis. The wind was howling atop the mountain, which I’m sure many of you spotted in the news, and toppled the communication tower.

My teen, Brooks, took to the slopes at Sunday River with his buddy Aquinnah kid Fynn and brother Yossi and mom, Anja. They spent some time with Parker and Graeme Bradlee.

The Bacon-Zacks (Patricia, Zack, Atlas, Sam and Fletcher) have returned from their sunny Caribbean St. John adventure. It was wide brimmed hats for all in the blistering sunshine.

Wayne Iacono is back from his Florida adventure sporting a bit of a tan and a refreshed positive attitude.

Jen and Lenny Clarke made their way to Beaver Creek, Colo. to participate in Celebrity Ski benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A highlight was participating in a race clinic with 27 time World Cup winning alpine ski racer Phil Mahre.

I received a lovely poem in the mail the other day from Katie Edison, daughter of dearly missed Bill and Lydia. The piece of handwritten prose on a simple sheet of lined notebook paper is titled Dutcher Dock and was a most delightful discovery in my mailbox on a quiet and dreary New England winter day. Soon enough folks will be saying “I’d rather go down to Dutcher Dock where people, gulls and fish come flock. I’m gonna sit on the bench at ol’ Squid Row and watch the fishing boats come and go.”

We’ve had a few days here and there where sitting on Squid Row is conducive to absorption of Vitamin D, but perhaps indoor sitting, for the time being, is more reliable.

But on March 12 at 6 p.m. why not pull up a seat at the first pizza night of the season at the Chilmark Church? Pam Goff and Julie Flanders are the two go-to gals for all your questions and answers.

Send Chilmark news to squidrow@vineyard.net.