I never knew Ted. But I knew Sami. It was about 2005 or 6 and my life was a mess, and my tennis shoulder was killing me, so I thought I would learn to play squash as a substitute sport and meet some new peeps. Squash was great fun, easier on my shoulder and I met some great people including the beautiful Sami. Im old enough to be her mother, but I always love being around younger people, so much more fun and interesting. I was initially struck by Samis beauty and athleticism, but won over by her smile and laugh and her humility. Sami was beautiful and had some cool job that had to do with the Olympics. I didnt get to know her too well. I knew her dad was a creative writing/English professor, and that impressed me, too, as a quasi-journalist wanna-be novelist myself. I left Toledo and so did Sami. I followed her on her way to Austin. The magic of Facebook kept me connected, maybe more of a nuisance than a real friend, I would like her new boyfriend, or like her new job, or like her night out-on-the-town. I liked her style and how she dressed, but one knows in meeting Sami, that is it Samis head and her heart that are her most beautiful assets. Finally, in Ted Welles, she found that someone who knew that, too. I could see it in their photos and in their posts. I watched them with great intrigue. THEY HAD IT. It was love. It was so obvious. It was enchanting. Ted was as equally gorgeous as Sami. I kept waiting for the proposal to be announced. I knew it had to be soon. I was excited for her. I know firsthand how hard love is to find. I loved their pictures of Burning Man, and being a closet hippie in my past, I thought, How fun! I sent Sami a message, Am I too old for Burning Man? She wrote back, no, that I was not too old. Judging by the aura Ted put out in the world, I had a (delusional?) hope they might let me tag along next year. Weeks after Burning Man, I anticipated their choosing of Halloween costumes (ok, so I never had a daughter, and watching Sami move across the world toward great happiness with the man of her dreams was like watching a flower bloom, a young girl turning into a beautiful woman, a love affair turning into a life affair.) The love of Sami and Ted reminded me of Elizabeth Barrett and Robert Browning,one of the worlds truly great loves. Robert taught Elizabeth to walk again, they eloped, wrote together some of the worlds most romantic poetry. Elizabeth died in his arms. The Brownings helped me believe in love as did Sami and Ted. It must exist if I can see it. (The Brownings here for the curious: classiclit.about/od/loveliterature/a/aa_browning.htm) Then, there was no Halloween. I dont know many of you reading this. But I have been praying to the God in whom I believe, a God of deliverance and hope. I have been praying for your healing. For Sami, mostly, for her repair, for her future, for her pain. For those who love her and who love Ted. The outpouring of sorrow from those who knew Ted is nothing short of amazing. It speaks volumes of the love he inspired in those who called him brother, son, lover, band-mate, friend. What can I do but pray? I have been wondering... So last night, I went to the movies--alone. Yes, sometimes life is spent alone. I stood at the end of this great film and applauded. I cried like a baby, I laughed like a baboon. Go see it, everyone reading this needs to find someway to laugh out loud. The movie is pure genius. There is probably nothing in the movie that should remind you of Ted--no bears, no foxes, no healthy teeth brushing or smiley faces. But you will laugh, and you will cry. Ted will want you all to be laughing. I just know it. Finally, I know that there is a plan, for you, Sami, as I believe there is a plan for me, and it is a promise that God made to the prophet Jeremiah about 2600 years ago, and it is a promise He has for you today: Jeremiah 29:11New International Version (NIV) For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.\ I just know it. Hugs to all who loved Ted and to all who Ted loved.
Posted on: Sat, 06 Dec 2014 16:19:59 +0000
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