To Ashley: Sisterhood is Forever...

My sisters, bottom and top left. 

Their sister-friend Ashley, on the right.

And when the broken-hearted people living in the world agree,
There will be an answer, let it be.
For though they may be parted there is still a chance that
They will see,
There will be an answer. Let it be. 

-The Beatles-

Dear Ashley,

What will we do without you?  What will the earth do? It seems impossible that you are gone. You were so strong and beautiful, a Division One athlete that schooled my tomboy sisters.  Your stunning smile will be missed forever. You were a bubbly conversationalist who adapted easily to any new situation.

We are so so so proud of you Ashley.  Finishing year four of your PHD in marine bio.  You worked your butt off in the lab.  You never whined, you were always easygoing and game for an adventure.  From your homeland Chicago you made it to college in North Carolina, then grad school all on your own in Hawaii.  Lany was soooo happy when she met you that first week.  An instant homegirl!  Our term for the kind of effortless forever friend you can always be yourself around.

You adopted Holly into your circle.  And Oliver, our picky chihuahua, adored you too.  And I loved you! You were so solid and grounded. And wholesome (one of my highest compliments).  A friend to us all.  I am so glad you got to come home to Maui with us.  You fit in easily as the fourth sister. 

Your last adventure brought you to Australia...you were so motivated... saving the coral reefs. You were such a good girl.  Walking by yourself early every Sunday morning to church.  You gave easily and also forgave easily.   

Thank you for your friendship, your contributions, your positivity. You will never be forgotten. You will always be our ocean-loving Splashley!

The wedding gift you brought over is still wrapped and waiting in my sisters' living room. I will open them this summer when I get home. I wish it could be under different circumstances. 

Our hearts and heads are hungover in grief but we will make sure your legacy lives on.  Sisterhood is forever.  We love you dear Ashley!

Emily

My Flower Girl

Rian paints the Mission.

What a terrific visit! I have many wonderful days but the love and joy I felt in my heart were almost overwhelming during the afternoon pictured. I was reunited with my Oregon family.  The most wonderful people I have ever known adopted me into their extended family. I was witness to their strength and grace through the most difficult experiences imaginable.  They lost two beautiful children that are embedded in our hearts forever.  They also have three amazing children still here making our world a better place.  I'm featuring Rian Elizabeth... a spirited child, four years old, who has agreed to be my flower girl.

 

Water babies.

From the Oregon Ocean to the California Sea.

I helped care for her from her first week.
It was amazing.

 

Magic dolphin ride.

Playing tag in the cool grass.

Nonstop entertainment!

Staying Positive

A kindred spirit!

Why National Parks are Awesome

Easter morning we looked down on Badwater Basin.

It's cold at this elevation.

I saw my first ever cayote--he looks surprisingly like Wylie.  

Andrew spotted him with his eagle eyes.

I couldn't resist capturing this festive option
in the dusty (expensive!!!) general store.

Early Summer in the Garden

 

Dainty, delicious daffodil-yellow squash.

Ruddy red-green rhubarb--my first batch ever!  Looking forward to strawberry rhubarbness all summer long...

The zucchini monster is welcome in my garden.

Forget-me-nots for remembrance.
There's something amazing about a blue flower.

All Dressed in White: Thoughts on a Wedding

Sneak peak: Andrew's left chest and my left hip.

Our wedding outfits have been purchased!  We got Andrew the fanciest white silk shirt he's ever owned. And with the help of amazing friends, I found a dreamy, comfortable dress at an incredible price.

I have to admit, before I agreed to have one, I was a little scared of weddings. The hoopla, excess, and lack of success I've seen result from them left me a little incredulous. Two of the three big weddings I've been to in the last years ended at the year mark, and we are both from divorced families.  But I've known for ages now that I want to be with A forever and ever.  Marriage doesn't scare me one bit.  We've been through many difficult times and we still only love each other more and more. I admire Andrew so much and there is nobody who makes me feel better or more like myself.  I feel ridiculously lucky.

And the wedding?  I never grew up dreaming of the day and I am ignorant about most traditions. This hasn't been a bad thing. I knew from the start we couldn't spend a lot. While we are very happy, we don't have extra money. And even if I did I could think of many other places to spend it. I also don't want to go through motions that have no significance to me, I want something meaningful..

And everything has fallen into place. From our outfits, to our locale, to our invitations, to the people attending...it has been a labor of love and all extremely personal.  People we love have both talent and generous hearts. I am practiced at opening my heart to receiving these gifts.  It sounds strange, but I've witnessed the grace it takes to accept help, it is a common topic in yoga class, and I even read a book on it in graduate school.

School's Out

Feeling completely adored...the last week of school was a lovefest. I am so proud of the kids and how much they've grown. I also work with some wonderfully inspiring teachers. They are so generous with their craft!

I got a book from my students filled with their illustrations and sweet sentiments they wrote out. I don't remember ever being so kind to a teacher. Pictures of me (in Hawaii getting married), pictures of me and some of my students, and pictures of Andrew and me as a couple.

The end is bittersweet!

No Saturation Required: The Rose Garden

One of my very favorite places is the Rose Garden.
I like the sound of the fountain, the warm stone benches, and the fragrance garden that surrounds it.
I like the golden retriever that regularly takes a plunge into the fountain.
I like the old ladies with motley mutts, who tell me once a week that their dogs are vegetarian.
I like the beautiful Spanish style homes across the street with trellised lemon trees.
I like telling the tourists who ask me, the local, about the Mission across the street.
I like watching commercials filmed and photography students set up shoots.
I like the purple mountains just beyond and witnessing their colors change with the season.
I like looking up at the monstrous eucalyptus trees and thinking about how pleased my dad would be with the quality of their care.
I like slipping off my work shoes and putting my toes in the cooling grass.
I like looking down at the glittery ocean and the sailboats dotting the waters.

I like the roses.
They makes me feel dreamy about a celebration of love
with flowers, friends, food, family and fun.
These days I especially adore deep saturated jewel tones.
Please pass on the pastels and give me the rich festive hues of of Summer.