Mama Kate, my grandmother always had copies of Arizona Highways on her coffee table and in her magazine racks.  It was one of those magazines that you never tossed out.  It was the magazine I could look through time and again.  The one thing that always stood out to  me was the Reds. The reds of the dirt, the red of the Grand Canyon and the reds of the sunsets. The towering white clouds edged in red, contrasting with the turquoise sky between.  Now I realize they took the pictures of those tall massive clouds because they were rare.

In my mind that was Arizona.  The Indian School on Indian School road. This was the place that my grandparents supported with financial donations all while I was growing up and we would receive little Indian dolls. This was the gift my grandmother received for her devotion to the little school that helped the Indian children learn English, math and science. As an adult I have learned that they were not all happy to be here, but my grandparents helped out of the goodness of their hearts and the faith in the beliefs of the times.
Again in my mind that was Arizona.

Today all that came flooding back when I saw a woman that had gotten out of her car on the side of the road and was taking pictures of the sky. The towering clouds with the little touches of turquoise between.  Oh did I mention the reds.  Because each white cloud had just the faintest hint of red and in my mind, I had just sat down on the floor with my back up against the cold marble coffee table with the Arizona Highways Magazine.

  Other than wishing I too could pull over on Indian School Road as that woman had, and watch the sunset melt into the ribbon of red that it would soon become  I realized I am living my own copy of Mama Kate's Arizona Highways Magazine.

Goodbye my friend

Steve I heard of your passing today. I was sad but I also was touched that you had reached out to me after all this time and we had one awesome day together. Chatting about the old days laughing and recalling things that were so important and so minute.  But it was a wonderful visit. A day full of hugs and laughter and happy thoughts about those that we shared a bond with all those years ago.  The neighbors that liked us and we had no clue why.  The people we talked about that had not been brought to mind in so long.  Silly times and fun times.  The fact that we were friends that went to the sweetheart banquet at your church because we both wanted to go.  The Performances in the basement of your church.  We talked for about 9 hours straight and it is 9 hours I will never forget.
I will share some of the things Steve told me.  He said that Nellie was the best mother and she was a beautiful person that had always accepted him with no hesitancy.  He loved her for that.  He loved Martha, Ruth and Libby and thought they were awesome sisters to have. He said he had no bad memories of them and  that when he thinks of them he always thinks of them happy and smiling. His family meant so much to him. He is proud of David and Terri and He told me about Eddie and Ken and had only nice things to say about each.
He was so proud of his dad. He said in a time when people would struggle with just a few kids his dad had provided very nicely for 8 children and his father was an amazing man. He told me he had made some mistakes but that the family always was there for him. 
I wanted to share in case anyone ever thinks people do not discuss their true feelings, they do. and Steve I will never forget you and I am so so thankful God gave us 1 day to forge a new memory that is helping me and hopefully others through this time.
You will be missed Steve.  I still look out the window every time I hear a motorcycle hoping it was you dropping in for a visit. My regret is at my missing your phone call when we could have had another day to make memories with our pups.
I am glad you greeted me with those hugs and kind words and that wonderful visit.
Farewell Steve. I will miss you!