For Virginia :: When one is forgotten, one dies yet another time.

So regarding my promise to David. I promised David that I would get to see his Descanso for Virginia. I am in Florida & the Descanso is in Arizona. The first thought was " how am I going to get there to see his Descanso?"

So I figured I can ask somebody there to do a favor for me. I have been writing emails making a request for an image of the Descanso. Yes, it is an unreasonable request, but one I know I must do. I feel the promise must be fulfilled. Then the next thought that came to mind is

"what makes me think that I can get a stranger to do me a favor." What makes me think that I can get to see his memorial. The Arrogance that I think I can will somebody into doing something for a stranger just because I ask!

So I've had to put those thoughts aside & I have to do it anyway. So for the last few weeks, I have been searching for people in Arizona. I did a search for preachers in the area; business owners; even teachers who may teach photography. I started contacting people I didn't know, in Apache Junction, AZ. I sent out about 100 emails, but no reply - all to keep my promise.

One email I had to send was to Roy Pope of roypopephotography.com. What caught my attention is the first line in his "About the Artist" page. It reads :

"Roy photographs the world with a pair of loving eyes and a hugging heart."

When I read this, I just knew that I needed to contact him. Something told me that he would be the one to help me fulfill my promise. So I sent it out!

Two weeks have passed and no reply from anybody.

That is no replies...

until today! I received an email reply. Roy has attached a file! My heart is pounding in disbelief! I can't believe it - he attached a photograph! As I open his email, I see three simple lines ending in "Thank You" - wow! he's thanking me - I was the one asking for the favor and he's thanking me. This caught me by surprise! So I replied, thanking him & wondering what was present for him that he is thanking me. His replied:

In this time when mother earth is changing as we willed her to do, this has touched my heart.

He went on to explain

"when one is forgotten, one dies yet another time."

Wow! out of what I thought was a favor for me, he was touched, moved and inspired to take the picture! I now see that having the magic of an "outside the box" life can be had simply out of me being real, expressing what is present for myself and allowing another to experience that.

What I learned from this is that out of me wanting to fulfill my purpose, I have touched another and allow them to be inspired. You just never know what you can cause in the life of another.

for Virginia ::: David's Story

Over the next three months David & I communicated via email. He expressed his love for his daughter & the heartache it was to lose her. He expressed the sorrow, the loneliness & his hopes for the memory of Virginia.

I got to know David a little more during those emails. And I got to know who Virginia was for him. She was everything to him!

"I have had dreams, and I have had heartaches, I have lived, I have loved, I have hurt inside and out. Some crushed dreams (my daughter) cannot be overcome, no matter how hard you try. I am a welder by trade and her descansos will last longer than most. But it to will be uprooted at some point by someone who knows nothing of the story that goes with the memorial. It is the passing of wind and sand and time. Perhaps someday they will come to understand the grief that passed that spot so very long ago."

All he wanted to do is pass on his folklore. He wanted someone to listen, maybe someone who could understand the pain. But sadly, I just received a final email saying goodbye.

David was on his way to be by Virginia's side where he can find his happiness again. He did not explain anything more then just "I'm ill" and that he could no longer be in communication. I felt like I was loosing a friend. But he requested that he be allowed to die in peace.

So my reply to David was:

"David, all I know now is that God is there with you & that puts my mind at ease. I WILL find a way of seeing your daughter's descanso. The distance from Florida to Arizona is great, AND it is not going to stop me. Know that I already see your devotion and will get to see your creation. I will continue to have you & your daughter in my thoughts forever.

I wish you well & may God be with you on your journey."

I made a promise to David, that I am not sure how to keep it. I promised him that the memory of his daughter would not vanish with his passing & that the descanso he built for her will be remembered even after its demise.

All David wanted was that the memory of Virginia never fade and that his descanso for her, still remain alive.

All I know of David is his Unconditional Love for his daughter & I cannot let his folklore just vanish. I feel he has entrusted in me, the preservation of Virginia's memory. And now also the preservation of David's story.

Good Bye David.

For Virginia :: Memories of Virginia

Tonite an email arrived that pulled at all my emotions. It reads ::

"Señor, I have maintained my daughter's roadside marker for 14 years now. I will soon be gone as well. It was important for me, in the waning years of my life, to be able to speak with her at the place she last spoke on Earth. I know that this memorial means nothing to anyone but I, and I will soon vanish from existence."

David just wanted to talk & express his story of the pain, sorrow & heartache, he has experienced at the loss of his daughter.

He seemed lonely, but most of all heartbroken. I am getting the impression that he just want to share his story with someone, before he goes.

All I can do is listen with all my heart.