Billie and I shared our love of the New Orleans Saints for close to 7 years. Long enough that I honestly don�t remember when we first became friends. At some point it just seemed like we had been forever. She was everything from fan, cookbook author and the textbook example of a crusty old gal who loved life to the fullest. She was perfect and now it seems hard to believe that the unstoppable force finally came to rest.

Billie was the best of what a person should be and the truth is she is irreplaceable and I miss her. During the time I was sick (considerably less so than she I might add) when we spoke that there would be no 2007 season I could tell she was very much disappointed although she was going through the final stages of cancer. She did very much enjoy the 2007 season and getting to know some of our members via email. I have to admit it is with some relief that we never got the chance to play this past season since it would have been very tough indeed for those of us who got to know Billie to have to watch her team finish up the final stages of the year without her. We can never know what the final result would be, but judging from her 2007 performance it would have been a very fine team indeed.

Knowing her as I did, I can assure everyone involved that if she could, she would give each and every one of us the advice to live our lives the best we can, enjoy it and enjoy a close personal relationship with God. After giving it considerable thought I have come to the conclusion that she very much would expect us going on to having a 2008 season � and that we shall. This type of thing (fantasy sports of any sort) is a very silly kind of business and I think we all realize that. However, I do believe that she would say to us that we should enjoy our fellowship and each other.

The 2007 season that never was is hereby dedicated to the memory of a great friend and from this point on our pretend championship trophy will be named in memory of a real live sweetheart of a person - Billie Bonin.

God bless her.