2013 Seasons of Love Day Seven - Renee Newlove

2013 Seasons of Love Day Six - Danita Mobley Hamel

In April, 2010 I wrote the following on your Facebook wall:

One of the things that I love about you, that YOU couldn't possibly have known - you call me "Jaynie" which is what I was called until I was 13. So, you see,you are in the small group of people who have known me the longest and the best -- even though we've just recently become friends. You're special, my dear. Love ya lots.

We’ve been friends for three years!  I’ve watched your children grow, I’ve seen you get involved in theater, I’ve laughed at your shenanigans, cried for your pain, and cheered your successes.

-all the above, and we’ve never seen each other, face-to-face.

How is that possible?  I don’t know, and frankly my dear, I don’t give a  dam

-darn.  I don’t give a darn.  I love you to pieces.  

You have an amazingly sweet and kind heart – and a soul to match.  I sensed the depth of that soul in the words you posted and wrote to mutual friends – but I knew it the first time we talked on the phone.   I remember chatting with you on (more than) a few Saturday mornings – talking about what was going on in our lives.  Your advice and enthusiasm was much appreciated, you know that, right?

I miss writing silly things on your wall.  So –let’s start doing that again, okay?  I swear/vow/promise that I will make the road trip north to see you soon.  I want to have pictures of us doing silly things.

2013 Seasons of Love Day Five - John Jordan

It was love at first sight.

-and then love at second sight.

::sigh:: Unfortunately (for me) – the two of you were already in love with each other.  Sooooooo I just had to adjust and recategorize my sight.  Being your left-hand (wo)Man while you were the producer was an honor and much fun.  I loved dinner at your house (we need to do that again), looking at Christmas lights, eating at Castillo’s, going to see modern dance (some of which I still don’t understand), dancing at Rogue parties, bbqing out on the ranchette, and the list goes on and on.  I truly appreciate the fact that every time I need help, whether it’s Rogue related or otherwise – you say, “Yes, APj.” 

You are a great friend to have – thank you.

2013 Seasons of Love Day Four - Kleev Guessford

When I think of you, one of the first images that comes to mind is the Tin Man – from the Wizard of Oz.  I don’t think you’re aware of how huge your heart is – and how much you are loved by so many people. Just being near you causes a person’s heart to grow.  I wish you were my brother – so you could spoil me all the time.  That’s the truth.

Thank you for opening your heart and your home to me.  I remember coming to stay at your house (shortly after it was “decorated”).  I remember telling you that I just wished I had someone in my life who would wake me nicely in the morning and bring me coffee in bed.  And the next morning, you woke me nicely (from the hall), and brought me coffee in bed.  Seriously – I almost wept. 

I remember taking flowers home – I think they were from Tamora’s wedding – and thinking, “I wanna get married again just so I can have flowers done by Kleev.”  I’ve matured since then – I now realize that I don’t have to get married to get those flowers – I just have to have a really big party.  Trust me, I’m working on it.

One final Kleev memory –from just last year.  Erynn and I were overjoyed that you came to her Art show.  And I laugh remembering how the three of us got all teary-eyed upon your exclamation of, “Oh Erynn – I love your stuff.  It’s really good – and I’m so glad I don’t have to lie – it really is so good.”

Kleev – I love you and your stuff.  It’s beyond good.  The Wizard was right when he said, “Just remember, my sentimental friend, a heart isn’t judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved.”

2013 Seasons of Love Day Three: Marcel Nunis

My Dear, darling, DDCCF:

I’m bending my “totally random” resolution for you.  You were supposed to be tomorrow, but I’m putting you on today.  Happy Birthday, you Damn Dyslexic Color-blind Crippled Foreigner (said with muchloveandaffection).

I met you almost eight years ago, and you had a heavy hand in changing my life –for the better.  Thank you for inviting me into your world-of-Rogue. 

Some of my favorite Marcel moments involve bbq’s in your front yard, chatting with Gertie, endless hours of documentaries, old movies, ridiculous trips to BigLots and the 99cent store.  Oh – and let’s not forget –you’re the one who got me to try many new foods – even though I still don’t like them touching each other, I enjoy the new flavors you’ve introduced me to.

You were one of the first people I talked to after I had to put Rio down – you called and told me to come over.  We sat there ( I don’t even remember what we watched) – and you didn’t try to get me to talk – you just let me be (which was what I needed).  You also had the fabulous idea of using that as the comedic moment of my second Rogue show.  Brilliant.

Oh – and I never would have been able to do any show if it hadn’t been for you.  Thank you for the prodding and poking – thanks for listening and critiquing.  Your input and advice were greatly appreciated.

You and I don’t see much of each other right now – and I need to remedy that.  But please know – you are important to me.   And I promise to finish that eulogy…but can I do it before you die?  I think it would be so much more fun if you were there…

2013 Seasons of Love Day Two: Heather Price

You and I started teaching at Wawona in 2005.  I felt an immediate kinship with you on many levels – personality, faith, and theater.
I have so many memories of us – sitting in our classroom(s) during lunch talking about the three “g’s”: God, goals, guys.    You always listened to me, guided me, and supported me.  You always stuck up for and with me – no matter what ridiculous things I talked you into doing for Wawona Rallies: Supertwins, IronMan Women (with eyelashes and lipstick) Beyonce&Elvis, and Sumo Wrestlers.

Do you remember when we went to Disneyland – and we took Erynn?  Seven years later, she STILL talks about you running into the trash cans.  I close my eyes, and I see the three of us RUNNING through Disneyland, and cracking up.  You, my dear friend, are funny. I think you’re finally beginning to realize the amazing comedic timing you have both ON and off the stage.
 
This year took me to a new school – and I miss you daily.  As busy as we both are, it would be easy for us to lose track of each other.  But I know we won’t allow that to happen…right?


You are awesome.  You are an incredible teacher, a role model (for both your students AND your peers), and a phenomenal friend.  I have been blessed to have you in my life – and I know that that blessing will continue.

2013 Seasons of Love Day One: Erynn Richardson

2013 - My Season of Love

"My! People come and go so quickly here!"

(Dorothy, to the Munchkins, in the movie, "The Wizard of Oz"

I lost two friends this past year.  They were not close friends of mine -- we didn't "hang out" together.  In fact, if the truth be told --which I'm trying to hold to -- they were more....acquaintances of mine.  Good acquaintances -- I was always happy to see them -- we'd sit and chat -- I invited them to parties and/or events I was hosting, etc.

But they died.  

And their friends grieved.

Outpourings of sorrow, shared stories of youth and adventures followed.

And then I went to see a local production of "Rent" -- one of my favorites.  And the opening number, "Seasons of Love" struck me to my core:

"Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes,
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Moments so dear.
Five hundred twenty-five thousand
Six hundred minutes
How do you measure, measure a year?"
(The opening chorus of the song "Seasons of Love" from the show "Rent")

How do you measure a year?  
In daylights?   How many do you remember?  What did you do? 
in sunsets?  Did you share them with someone?  Did you take a picture of one?
in midnights?  Or were you asleep through that quiet hour?
in cups of coffee?  How many cups did you share -- or spend alone?
in inches?  gained....or lost....
in miles?   Away from those you love?  Physical or emotional miles? 
in laughter?  Who did you make grin, giggle, or guffaw?
in strife?   Whose burden did you ease?

We all are on a journey -- and the end result is the same: death.  We all may have a different interpretation as to what comes after Death -- and that is fine.  I can't change that part of your journey -- I can't even change this part of your journey.  But I need to do something for my journey.  I need to tell the people in my life that they're important to me now -- while they're alive.  
The combination of the musical, deaths, and the new year have brought to this new revelation and resolution  -
so -
My resolution for 2013 is to tell 365 people what they mean to me.  I intend to type the names on a list, and randomly draw a friend to write to-and-about. I will post all of them here.

Happy 2013 -- tell someone what they mean to you.