For Teresa

I found out this morning that you'd died, Teresa. I'm flooded with memories of you. The crazy fun activities you did with my students, the way you always ran just a bit late and were always worth the wait, your laugh, the tales you told of your beloved dog, and your loving friendship. I remember one day you took a moment to spontaneously teach me how to draw trees. This was years before I began my own artistic adventure and I always, always think of you when I draw or paint a tree. I can't think of the way limbs emerge from the trunk without you crossing my mind. I know this will always be the case. I think you were so keenly aware of trees because of your beautiful love of squirrels. I think you saw trees through their eyes.

When you left Zilker I was asked to do a short sendoff in front of the entire staff. For some reason you were late (go figure!) and I gave the sendoff in your absence. It went perfectly! And then you showed up and I was asked to do it again. I cried and then sobbed my way through a sendoff. I've got the same feeling tonight. If I drank beer I'd raise a glass in your honor. But since I don't, I painted a squirrel in a tree in your honor. If there's a heaven, it's filled with frolicking squirrels. I love you. Thank you for being my friend.