David’s Lilies
There are times when I get so busy I’m not aware of the passing of time. Each day blends into the next in glorious repetition and I go with the flow. By now, dear readers, everyone knows my love for flowers. My cousin, David Beaty, and I grew up together in Texas, lost each other over years of moving around the country and then reconnected at a family reunion in the early 2000’s. David, a creative free spirit like myself, and I instantly knew we were kindred souls. Each morning I would receive eFlowers from David…I never knew what he might send, but I have saved everyone of them over the past three or four years.
David’s passion flowers
When I did not receive flowers I knew something was up. David began to share his health issues with me over the past few months and his stays in and out of the hospital. His home in Petaluma, California seemed a world away from this little island off the Southern coast of Georgia. I knew he had family and friends but I still felt the distance. And then the e-mails stopped coming as of last Sunday. David passed from this life early Saturday morning, it almost feels unreal not being able to see him one last time, knowing we’ll never have another smart aleck text message exchange or emails where we discuss our lives, challenges and loves.
Stairway to heaven?
Life is fleeting, I am acutely aware of this as the years pass. Caring for my parents and watching them deal with their limited time on this Earth has ushered a lot of this awareness into my consciousness. Over the past couple of weeks David’s daily eFlowers had changed in subject matter. One recent photo was of deep space, I kidded him saying it looked like the stairway to heaven, and he agreed. I wonder if he sensed what was happening, such a sweet, creative spirit, David exuded sensitivity in all that he did.
David Beaty
So today I felt guided to dedicate a post to my cousin. His family grieves for him, his co-workers and friends and his beloved basset hounds. Life is precious…..let your loved ones know how you feel….and take a look at your life. If you’re holding back, not going after a dream or pursuing your passion then start…..start today….live your life with purpose. I’ll miss my flowers, but most of all, I’ll miss a man who has become a dear friend. I’ll treasure the memories forever.
4 Responses
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Harold Michael Harvey Says:
Long live the precious memories you shared with David.
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Tamra Says:
What a beautiful tribute Melissa…thinking of you.
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Gwyn Littell Says:
Melissa, I am so sorry to hear about your deep loss of someone so dear to you.
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Sandi Says:
I am so sorry for your loss! Life is a journey and Davids ended too soon!
