It is sprinkling and overcast today, but since the temperature is only going to drop to the mid-40’s tonight, we moved all the plants outside. Experiencing the temperature changes (above freezing) and breeze will help them harden off for outdoor transplant, and the rainwater will be good for them as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yesterday was a milestone birthday for someone I consider important in my life, and call a friend. Some people might think that odd since we have only been in each other’s physical presence four times and talked on the phone a handful of times since we met in the late-90s. But even before I had identified her as a key person in my timeline, I knew she was something special and she had a tremendous impact on my path in life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We met when I was in Seattle working for Wizards of the Coast. At the time I was dating a gal (who happened to be the ex of my best friend from high school who had been killed – the discovery of that twist is a whole separate story) and I wasn’t very happy. I was also working 60-80 hour weeks and rapidly burning out. She was passing through the area and about to move across the country. We sat and chatted about life, the universe, and everything in between. Time flew by and the next thing I knew the sun was rising – I soon had to report back to work, and she had to catch a bus to move across the country to New York. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
We reluctantly parted, and I thought that would be the last time I ever saw her – but I was wrong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before she left town, she stopped by my work and gave me a letter – a letter I kept in my wallet for years and only removed because it was falling apart and I couldn’t bear the thought of losing that precious relic. In it she had included contact information, and some words of wisdom and affirmations, along with this to close the letter:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n“Follow your heart, for that is where your treasure lies.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Shortly thereafter, I was single again and looking at other job opportunities while living in Huntington Beach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One things that really stood out to me was the contact information she gave me. She provided her new address in New York, her friends in Los Angeles (where she would be staying after her NY jaunt), and her parents. That was the one that really caught my attention – she had written down their mailing address and phone number with a little note, “anytime you call, tell them I love them.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We kept in contact, and while our paths didn’t cross often, we made it a point to see each other when they did. Once I was in Southern California for a family event and peeled off a few hours for a visit. Another time she was passing through Sacramento but had a few hours. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I feel bad about admitting this, but after I removed the letter from my wallet and placed it in my “treasured keepsakes” box, I pretty much forgot about her and moved on. I was busy with work, a child, different projects, chasing girls, and all the other things life throws at you to keep you preoccupied. I’m not sure what was all happening in her life at that time, but I imagine it was as hectic as mine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Years passed, I met an amazing woman, got married, and we moved to Idaho. While living in Idaho, I rediscovered the letter and immediately called her parents, praying that the number still worked. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It did.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
I spoke with her father, reminded him who I was (we had spoken a few times before), and told him she loved them. We were able to reconnect and she is now on our holiday card list and I hope someday to be able to introduce her to my wife. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So happy birthday A, you are one of the most beautiful souls I have ever encountered on this chaotic rock hurtling through space, and I look forward to the day our paths cross once again.<\/p>\n\n\n\n