Unexpected Change

Sometimes things happen in our lives that are completely out of our control. Suddenly a road can appear out of nowhere with a big sign that says "you must turn here". This road showed up on my path a little over a month ago and changed my life, yet again, towards a new direction.

I had to make the choice of taking a safer path than I had been on; one that would offer me shelter while I weathered out my personal storm. So I moved out of my dearly loved little house in Colorado to big basement apartment in my friends home in Arizona. Fortunately, my friend is my soul mate and the town where I now live is not too much different from the one I left.

Living with a friend who has shared a lifetime with me is a blessing from God. It has brought peace to my soul and guidance to my life, both of which were greatly needed. I still feel a strong connection to Colorado, but life here offers me more spiritual growth and a better chance at regaining the self-worth I have been seeking for so long.

I will miss Colorado, with it wonderful people and crazy weather (tornadoes and all). Who knows, maybe someday I will return there. I do not know what the future holds for me; right now I am taking it one day at a time. I know my dogs are happy here, although I think Niki will miss romping in the snow. I trust their sense of wellbeing and will follow their lead on this one!

The Spirit and the Soul

On May 1st my family lost one of it's dearest members, my nephew Jeff, in a motorcycle accident at (pardon the cliché) the prime of his life. His passing roused me into thinking about what makes us who we are. My conclusion spurred me to write this speech, which I delivered at Jeff's funeral. I want to share it with you so you will know Jeff as I knew him, a truly divine spirit and soul.



The spirit and the soul, two human entities that cannot be seen or felt, but exists in all of us as our immortal selves. Our soul is the element that defines who we are, our sense of identity. It is our emotional and intellectual energy, the embodiment of specific qualities that make us who we are.

Our spirit sits at the seat of our emotions, encompassing our most mental and moral characteristics- our true self. When we refer to someone in the past tense we may describe him or her as a gentle soul with an uplifting spirit. Jeff was this and more. His spirit had the qualities of courage, energy, determination and assertiveness. His soul was kind and gentle, inspiring and moral.

Now Jeff's soul has ascended to heaven, but his spirit continues to shine on earth for eternity. Through the coming years we will share many wonderful stories about Jeff, remembering his many talents and accomplishments in life, his laughter, his energy and his enormous love for all those around him. These stories will make us laugh and make us cry, but most importantly, they will make us realize that Jeff was not just an ordinary person- but rather and extraordinary person- and that our lives are better for having known him.


WE LOVE YOU JEFF