This morning when I woke up I was perusing through facebook looking to see what I had missed while I was sleeping.  The notification from facebook of memories from years gone by let me know I had memories to look back on.  And then I saw these two little faces looking back at me.  I was immediately transported to the fun car ride with my student and friend Jo Ann Gill as we laughed all the way up to Idylwild together to visit our friends Ed and Paula and of course Darby and Rowdy.  I was brought back to remembering that I almost said no to this adventure.  I had been busy working on some new curriculum, but then something inside of me told me to go.  I was so glad I did because I didn’t know it at the time but that would be the last time I got to see Ed before he passed on.  And then a few months later sweet Rowdy passed over to the Rainbow Bridge.

As I walked the beach this morning here in Baja I thought a lot about Ed.  His wife Paula was my very first student when I moved to Palm Springs 8 years ago.  I liked Paula right away, her smile, her contagious laugh and of course her writing!  I am not sure how long after we started writing together that she invited me to her home for dinner and I gladly accepted.  I remember when I met Ed thinking  he was the perfect partner for Paula.  He also had a great laugh and told the best stories.  It was like a tag team event watching the two of them tell funny stories and in the end we would all laugh so hard we were crying.  I love having those memories to look back on.  I also have the memories of visiting Ed in the Carlotta.  And as I look back I realize what an impact Ed had on my life since I never liked going to those places.  But one memory that sticks out in my mind was having dinner with Ed in the dining hall of the Carlotta with Paula.  He hadn’t been there long yet all the other patients came up to talk to him or smile at him.  Ed was just that way, he found a friend in everyone he met.  As I continued walking on the Sea of Cortez this morning the tears began to flow as I thanked Ed for being a part of my life.  He was the kind of man you would want for your dad or a favorite uncle.

So Ed….here’s to you…thanks for stepping onto the stage of my life, if only for a few brief years.  You made an impact on me that I will always remember.

found this heart rock on the beach today