A Place to Grieve

We left home this morning at approximately 5:05. California's Central Coast was our destination. We stopped twice once in the community of Agora for a quick potty stop for the two of us and to purchase a coffee. Then we stopped in Santa Barbara so Max, Mitzi, and Chloe could go for a short walk and a potty stop. At approximately 10:00 a.m. we arrived at our place that we affectionally call "Hank's House" in the little forgotten in time community of Cayucos.

It was delightful to unlock the door to the house, to pull the window coverings to let the sunshine fill the rooms, and to open the windows and let the ocean air fill our little house. Mr. Fun turned on the water valve, turned on the water heater, and we unloaded the car of our laptops, some light luggage, and a little bit of food. We had not been here since August 20th when we ended our summer sabbatical to head for home so I could begin a fall semester of teaching.

A while later we took the pooches for a walk to the beach, to our favorite lookout, and captured this view. It's a favorite spot for us. If you look carefully, you can see Morro Rock several miles to the south.

Later when we were in the "Super Market," Mr. Fun's phone rang, but because we were busy he couldn't answer it. It was odd, though, the screen revealed that it was "Dan and Arla" phoning. We rarely hear from them because they live miles from us in the middle of the state of Oregon in Eugene. A couple hours later it rang again and indicated that it was from them. So Mr. Fun answered; the call completely changed the tempo of our day. Recently once to often the news we've received has been crippling. Today's news was added to that list.

A friend from our high school days, Barry, was calling from Dan and Arla's phone to let us know that last night at 10:30, Dan, had died of a heart attack.

I attended 9th grade at Corona Jr. High with Dan. The next year I rode the same school bus as Jeanne; she lived in the Cresta Verde area and I lived out River Road. A few years later Jeanne married Barry and they had a son, Bryan; when Barry returned from VietNam, Jeanne and Barry divorced.

Several years later Dan married Jeanne. He raised her son with the love of a real father. Dan & Jeanne remained friends with Barry, and later Barry's new wife, Joanie.

Yesterday, Dan & Jeanne were at Barry & Joanie's house in Crescent City, CA. Dan was there to work on the house; to build Barry & Joanie a new bathroom or a new bedroom or a new something. Dan could build anything. He died last night. They think it was a heart attack. Dan was 65.

Dan was one of the nicest humans we've ever known. He was gracious and generous and humble. He was a soft spoken quiet man. He had a heart of gold and a behavior that revealed it.

In the photo I posted 3 years ago here in Blipfoto, Dan & Jeanne are on the left. Barry & Joanie are on the right. It was a "Forever Moment."

Please pray for ArlaJean. Please pray for us. The grief is immense.

From the Central Coast of California.
Rosie (& Mr. Fun), aka Carol

P.S. Arla was always "Jeanne" to me. She began using her real name in adult life.