josephene

I work with a man named Ed. Sir Edward is what I call him. He's got one of the biggest hearts I have ever seen. He's a pillar in the community, and has easily filled the slot of a grandfather figure in my life. He's one of those people that it's a privilege to know. He's a minister at a non-denominational church, and one who oozes spiritual enlightenment without any religious undertones. There's really no way in describing this man justly without writing a book. When I marry, I don't want anyone other than Ed there joining me with the man I love. We have had this arranged far before there was a man in contention for being bound to me into eternity.

When my dad became ill to the point of knowing his time was drawing to an end, I asked him if he would like to speak to someone of religious affiliation. We've always been a spiritual family, even without the confines of a "church." And my dad knew my respect and love for Ed and asked for him. When I approached Ed about it, he cleared his busy schedule to make time to talk to my dad, and sat with him for over an hour, discussing life, fate, the after-life, faith...anything my dad wanted to talk about. I sat inside, and heard most of the conversation, and when my dad said he was more worried about leaving me alone than what was to happen to him, Ed assured him that someone like me is never alone, my heart brings people in, and assured my dad that in the short time he knew him, Ed was sure I got that from my dad. He was correct.

In the process of that conversation, my dad asked that Ed perform his funeral, when it was my dad's time to go. When I walked Ed to his car, he hugged me and I just sank into that security. I had become the caregiver for my dad at that time, and for that brief instance, I felt taken care of.

The reason Ed is so prevalent in my mind today is because he just lost his mom. It was a long battle with Alzheimer's disease. Even though the passing was a blessing...it's still NEVER easy to lose a parent. He came in to the studio and when I finally got a break, I wrapped my arms tight around him, hoping that I could give him back a little of what he'd given me some 5 years ago.

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Tonight is cinco de mayo, and I'm headed out for Margaritas and judging a wet-t-shirt contest at a local bar. Co-Ed mind you. A night I should be excited about, but I would much rather curl up on a chaise lounge with my beloved and feel that security of being in love.