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Posted by: Dan @ 9:33 am
It’s Valentine’s Day. Sandy and I always made it a bit more of a special and romantic day than usual, so this first one without her is painful. These past few days have been more difficult than the holidays were. The waves have been hitting me harder… usually at night. We loved surprising each other with something special on this day, and not being able to do that for her is heartbreaking. But maybe she’s still surprising me… with something special that happened yesterday, just in time for Valentine’s…
Back in August, at Sandy’s Celebration here in our garden, our friend Patty had the idea to give away small bags of daffodil and tulip bulbs for everyone, so our friends and family could plant them at their homes in honor of Sandy and the Garden of Friendship she loved. A few weeks ago our friends Kelly and Mark gave me a special gift… Kelly had planted some of the daffodil bulbs in a wine bucket — perfect! — somehow got them to grow in the middle of winter, and the green shoots were already a few inches tall. The Garden of Friendship was off to an early start.
Yesterday, out of the six bulbs growing in the bucket, two flowers bloomed. Two, right next to each other. I’ll take that as a sign. Another sign that Sandy and I will always be together somehow…
Thanks Kelly and Mark and Patty!
The flowers made a quick visit out to the cold and snowy garden this morning…
Love, Dan
February 14th, 2007 at 10:18 pm Dear Dan, Happy Valentine’s Day to you! I’ve been thinking about you a lot. Hey, I bought a subaru…how ’bout that? No more gas hog. I’m also in love with a wonderful man….from Norway…home of the gnomes:) He’s a big man and doesn’t look much like one but he has a friend who does…I swear. I just wanted you to know that I have always dreamed of having a love like the one you and Sandy had. My best friend and soulmate. I think I’ve found it. You’d love him. I hope to get up there with him sometime soon. Remember, you’ve inspired so many people and continue to do so. There’s more love in the world because of you. xoKellee
February 14th, 2007 at 11:32 pm Oh, lovely lovely story DanO. Thank you. With our love and appreciation and rememberance, Heather, Pat, Prunie and Clover-barkybarkbark
February 15th, 2007 at 9:56 am Thanks so much Dan. I was certainly thinking about you both last night and I just knew that you would be having a hard time. So for the two daffodils to be joining together see she is still with us, and definately with YOU. She always will be. Thank you for sharing that with us.
February 17th, 2007 at 4:17 pm Dan, I‘m so happy you found your Valentine surprise from Sandy. I know she wouldn’t have it any other way. Just as every moment you think of her, she is thinking of you. Love, Susie
February 20th, 2007 at 5:21 pm Dan–Keep meeting people who have a connection with you and Sandy. Your “lil sis” Caryn and I went to spend the long weekend near our old home on Oregon’s north coast (Rockaway). On Sunday we decided to drive to Wheeler, Nehalem and Manazanita to see the changes and check out the shops. The third shop happened to be one filled with cards, small gifts, etc and suddenly I thought of the lovely box of Crane stationery which Sandy had presented me on July 30 (in the midst of readying for the journey to the Lance Armstrong Challenge). I glanced at the north wall in the shop and there it was! I just knew that’s where Sandy had found it so asked the “clerk” by the cash register if she happened to remember the young woman who was shopping there in mid-July last summer. I described you and Sandy and she (turned out to be the owner) said she was so impressed with you both and how she admired Sandy’s determination to live every moment to the fullest even with the medical prognosis. The owner went on and on about the encounter and the time spent with her. She was particularly touched by since her own father had died of brain cancer–which of course she didn’t mention to Sandy. Caryn and I felt that we had been guided to that shop, “Salt and Paper” behind the picket fence just to hear another Sandy story. I took pictures and will send them when developed. As a side light, I had Heather’s cards in the car so we showed the owner and she was eager to share the info with the co-owner and hoped to order later in the season. I can only guess that there have been thousands of tourists through that shop since you two were there and to think that she was so impressed by your time there that she would remember the experience with wonder and admiration–surely a tribute to you both. With much love, Mom PS My daffodils and tulips are pushing through and will bloom in a few weeks. A delightful splash of color to come–and will be a loving reminder of an incredible day in August when we gathered to celebrate an extraordinary life.
February 26th, 2007 at 6:26 pm Dan, This is the first time I have read the blog since Sandy died. I couldn’t handle it before, but your eloquent prose make it a joy. Your relationship makes me believe in “soulmates”. Something I was pretty sceptical about. I am also happy to know you are living and experiencing Sandy’s joy and energy in every day. Truly, you are blest to have such a profound and wonderful relationship that transcends time and space. I do want to borrow the Greg Brown CD’s sometime. On another note, thank you for continuing to serve as our Webmaster. I want to encourage you to reserve some time at Camas Meadows Lodge when it feels right and also make sure that Sandy’s family knows they are also welcome anytime. Soon the wildflowers will come. Just know there is an open invitation for all. Much love…Susie S.
March 6th, 2007 at 1:04 pm Hello Dan, We are sorry we couldn’t see you the weekend you were moving through Portland for the surprise party. We would have enjoyed being with you. It’s a beautiful, sunny day here in Portland. And I needed to get away from my desk - so I just went out for a walk. I stopped near a park and took it all in - the sun was warm upon my face, flowers were blooming, birds were busy, and people were out enjoying the day. Days like these are a blessing. It made me stop and think of how wonderful and beautiful life is…And how precious family and friends are to me (us). We are so happy that you got your surprise from Sandy. Yellow daffodils - how typical of Sandy! We love you and would love a second chance at seeing you! We’ll let you know when we’re headed to Bow as well (like this weekend!); we’d love to see you. (Maybe when the weather is better in the summer…?) You are in our thoughts. D2
March 6th, 2007 at 9:27 pm Hi Dan, It’s been a while since I have visited and enjoyed your sharing. The last few months have flown by with many events in my families lives. I help out my in-laws, and that has increased a little because of a lung cancer diagnosis in late December. My mother-in-law is doing great and dealing well with her chemo treatments. Fatigue being her only complaint. The value of both Sandys’ and your words on this blog has grown unmeasurably for me personally and for those I have shared it with. Keep LivingStrong Dan. Sending you positive thoughts, prayers, and Love