I am planting in your memory. I have surrounded myself with a gorgeous array of color and I think of you. Yes, you were colorful to say the least! I still remember some of your stories and laugh. Like the time you were over near Big Sur at night and you were hungry and spotted a huge strawberry patch. You proceeded to help yourself and shots rang out. You ran like a turkey, the strawberry farmer was shooting at you!! Yep, you were one lovable, nutty character and your escapades would make a wonderful book, it would be both sad and hilarious at one and the same time. Next time I'll tell of your adventure when you were in Hawaii. I found the box of shells you sent me when you were in the Marshall Islands and I treasure them. You dove for them and sent them to me 'right out of the ocean' they are finger shells that still had the dead marine life in them...ohhh, the smell, but you told me to bury them and the ants would clean them out. You were correct, for the most part. They are still in the bowl with all my shells, sand dollars, little seahorses and all the rest sitting on the table in the living room.
Your sister, Carmen, and Mark opened a Spudnut shop (donuts made with potato flour) in Arvada last month and are doing wonderfully well. Carmen felt the 'nudge' you gave her. I am going to have the certificate of appreciation for you having served your country,signed by George W. Bush, framed -and Carmen is going to hang it on the wall of the shop with your picture.
It's late so I am going to bed but I just wanted you to know that I'm thinking of you and every time I look out my window and see all of those lovely flowers, I think of you.
I love you,
Your Mama