I haven’t written for a few days … so unusual for me.  But I’m smiling as I tap.  I let my vision problems and my esophagus problems be bigger than my desire to talk to you.  And that’s fine.

It’s time to start again.

***

I was watching a cycling race on TV yesterday and the announcer mentioned a famous cyclist who died years ago.  His words were “the late great …”  The three together stopped my mind.  And that’s a good thing.

I remember human beings who touched my life deeply before going somewhere else:

1.  Mel Cowie

I used to be a Mason, part of an organization that used secret symbols to teach spiritual wonders.  Mel was one of the few Masons who would sit down with me and talk about spirituality.  He was old.  I was young.  He was wise.  Me … not so much.

2.  Jim Bayly

In my early 20’s, I was a social work student at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.  I had a practicum in the family therapy unit of Kingston General Hospital.  Jim was one of my supervisors there.  He was a jolly guy with long, flowing grey hair.  He was old.  I was young.  And he saw me.

3.  Gina Sharpe

The truth is … I don’t know if Gina is still alive.  I’m guessing she’s not.  Either way, she touched me with her life.  I was a retreat participant at the Insight Meditation Society in the early 2010’s and Gina was one of the teachers.  Her words were like honey.  Her spirit filled the meditation hall.  Before or after, I’ve never experienced anything like it.  It didn’t seem to matter what she said.  Love flowed through every word.

***

Thank you

Absent ones who are still so present