Sarah,
I went out with Roxy to Ruth Lake on April 21st to be close to you and Donimo. As I set up my spot, the light was just so on the lake, and I was reminded of a few summers ago, when Quille and I were on our way over to you for a dock day. We had launched our kayaks right at this spot and set out to paddle up and around the point to your dock. We were all going to swim and mess about in the kayaks when we got there.
We started off in a headwind paddling for the point about 1/2 a mile away but after hours of pushing our boats into that wind we could never quite get around the point far enough to get out of the wind and on down the lake to you. We could see the dock but couldn’t get around the point. We finally turned back, reloaded the boats and arrived at yours just before dinner.
It was the memory of the fixation we had with that point, how in my mind that point was the way to you two. As I sat there the day Donimo would die, I was once again fixated on that point. And as the time for Donimo’s leaving drew near, a light emerged at the horizon, and pointed like an arrow past the point and towards your dock. As the minutes passed, the light swept slowly forward, the long distance towards me. As it came, I knew the light was Donimo; I watched as it came forward, and as it washed over me, it also washed through me. I felt the light. I spoke aloud: You are here, I feel you.
I loved Donimo, the dock afternoons at the lake, fun conversations in groovy restaurants. I always felt lucky to know her. I will miss her.
Her energy sweep of one of her favourite places was a thing of wonder, and I am grateful I was there to witness it. Grateful to be part of her beautiful leaving.
Love you Sarah,
Gail