Welcome back to “As I See It”.

I started writing this week’s blog about Point Reyes. As I was writing, I received word that my dear friend, Brenda, had passed. Upon hearing that, Point Reyes went right out of my head, and thoughts of Brenda filled in it’s place.

We met in 2003, at the Heartwood Institute in Humboldt County, in Northern California.  Atop a magic mountain. It was the beginning of my studies to be a massage therapist.

I was there for a two week massage therapy intensive, and may I say, intensive is the appropriate word. Brenda and I bonded at a pivotal time in our lives, doing the “work”, for ourselves and for others.

After that time we didn’t see each other often. I lived in Sonoma County. She lived in LA, then FloriDuh (as she would say), finally settling near Pismo Beach. 

We didn’t speak often either, but we exchanged emails. Thousands of them. Lengthy emails, filled with our truths. Our stories. Our pains. Our joys. Our secrets.

She was compassionate and understanding, and real.

Through my communication with her, I have an amazing documentation of my life, as told by me. That will make for interesting reading some time.

As Spirit would have it, I was exchanging texts two days ago with another Heartwood sister, Megan. Megan had sent a group text to Brenda and myself, sharing a Heartwood memory. We were hoping to find a time for her and Brenda and I to get together. I asked if either of them had any photos of our time on the mountain. Megan said she’d look. Brenda never responded. Little did I know.

I will miss my friend, and our sharing of our lives. I have peace knowing that Brenda finally has peace. She soars free of the pains that weighed on her body, her mind, and her soul.

I Love You, My Sister.