Hi there, come on in.  Give me your coat and find a comfortable seat somewhere.  While I gather some drinks together, I'd like to share a part of my day with you.

Some of you may remember my friend who passed away recently and now resides in the Moon.  He was a wonderful man.  An older gentleman who made the world better simply by being a part of it.  He and his lovely wife graced my particular world first through the motel at which I work, then as true and valued friends on a more personal basis.  I knew him for twenty-five years and loved him with all of my heart.   

He was also a lucky man.  Mine was not the only heart captured by his smile and his bear hugs.  He hugged with more enthusiastic love than I've ever felt before or since.  His was a brilliant mind with a quick wit and insatiable curiosity.  He always said what he thought and then listened intently to other points of view.  People were drawn to him, in part, due to his sincerity and absolute need for conversation.

Len and Barbara spent the month of November with us every year, as well as February and March.  We have lots of folks who spend a month or more at a time on the ocean in the off-season.  They know each other well, keep in touch throughout the rest of the year and are most of the same generation.  Len was a light ... his wife, Barbara, a soft glow.  She chose to come on her own this year, with her son showing up off and on throughout the month.  From day one, she has never been alone.  From the owners and staff to the other guests, she's been unable to sneeze without someone knowing it and making sure she's all right.  Family, you know.

One other important thing to know about Len.  His greatest delight was in filming every single sunset that was capable of being witnessed.  Tri-pod and camera in hand, he was always to be found on the ocean deck when it was time to tell the sun goodnight.  No two were ever alike, although much fun was made trying to convince him otherwise.  He was joined on that deck each evening by all of his friends - it became a daily tradition.  Clear sky, cloud cover, misty rain, cold or mild ... they shared in the delight that was the sunset over the ocean.

This evening, just as the sun was slowly sinking, about twenty of us met on that deck.  It was a gathering of friends to surprise Barbara with a plaque mounted on the weathered rail against which her lost husband so often leaned.  A simple monument, nothing fancy, with four lines written by a dear friend.

Where friends meet ... Beside the sea ... Enjoy the sunset ... Think of me.

And what a sunset it was.  Tears flowed, laughter ensued, memories were abundant and enthusiastic bear hugs of love were shared by all.  As I walked away, I glanced over my shoulder.  Just in time to see the Moon begin to rise.