This post took on a life of its own - our lovely Bichon Sofi and dashing doxie Doodle meet by accident online - as their moms make plans to attend a writer's workshop. What happens is hysterical - Doodle invites Sofi paddling into the sunset - the Uncle accuses Doodle of being a middle aged man - and our young lovers swap emails.
Read MoreWe lost one of our own - Don Benton. Dog lover, people lover, volunteer, donor, community leader. He gave to everyone and every cause, every day.
There are those people
that come along,
quite by accident
or maybe no accident at all.
They change your life
and the lives of all you know.
No fanfare.
Just there for others, helping them on their way.
They are selfless,
the soul of the community.
Giving is what they do.
Giving - not for credit, but for joy - for the gift of giving.
They walk not with pride, but with humility.
They are the people we long to be.
Sometimes they have life challenges
though we don’t think of angels facing challenges,
and they’re always helping others
so we miss that they’re actually human.
And so you think you have all the time in the world
to tell them how you feel.
and maybe a couple of times you did
but maybe you couldn’t form the perfect words today –
in a room full of people,
at life’s most private moment.
Or maybe you didn’t get there in time.
Who knew we only had a few moments left?
We always think there is more time…
And yet Don knew.
He knew how much we loved him.
Every one of us – and everyone we know.
So did his family and friends.
And God above.
Everyone knows how much we loved him – and always will.
In Hood River and every Gorge community –
he was our own,
he was selfless,
he gave everything he had to every moment,
to every person,
to every cause.
His wife Bonnie and daughter Lea Ann
were gracious - courageous -
they shared their deepest hearts,
and darkest moments this week
with us.
They invited us in.
We are all family – related or not.
Bentons- every one of us.
Shoulder to shoulder.
In the room with Don - or caring from afar.
I was there,
proud witness to your life, Don
and your amazing family
and the hope you built and blossomed in our community.
And in that moment,
shoulder to shoulder,
all of us Bentons - here and everywhere -
wanted you to stay.
And so the Don Benton reminder of life is this:
There is no moment - but this moment.
Not a moment to waste.
Say what’s in your heart.
Show up. For each minute of life.
For each other.
And give. Don was such a giver.
Because
there are those people
that come along
quite by accident
or maybe no accident at all.
Read more about Don here
Eclipsed. Once in a lifetime. Right here in Oregon.
Yesterday was a magical day. When I least expected it. Or maybe when I most expected it - but was still afraid to believe. The Oregon Eclipse came to town, after months and years of build up, anticipation and hype.
Nature delivered the most amazing experience of all. And made us feel - remember - how connected we all are.Read More