“When someone you love becomes a memory, the memory
becomes a treasure.”

Life has changed since you moved out of the house in late September. Almost a month has passed, and things are still surreal. Some days I feel that you’re just at the rehab center, getting your strength back from your fall, or perhaps on a trip.

The Ranch stayed the same. You’re one request: nothing in the house changed or disturbed until you pass. I respected that; we appreciated that. Someone asked me the other day what it’s like cleaning up and out of the house. I paused a bit and thought about my response– being that I was talking with another theater person, I said it felt like participating in a strike or a show close. For the past 25+ years, I have been walking in and out of this house, and a lot has stayed the same. The kitchen, the hallways, the living, and the family rooms. Like walking through a museum of someone’s life. I needed time to process, as I needed more time to be ready for changes to come as fast as they have over the past few weeks.

I went to Palm Springs for a week, and it did me wonders. I visited new sights, enjoyed some fantastic food, and spent time laughing with a gaggle of gays that just made me feel like a million bucks. I was able to put my life on hold while I temporarily got lost in a new location.

I returned with a renewed appreciation for life, a zest for loving a bit harder, and a ready-to- to tackle projects around the house. With clarity and a free mind, I’m ready to plan out two celebrations of life and the process of packing up the museum.

I feel a new chapter is coming, and I will enjoy the adventure.