Many years ago Candy, Ted and I were regular campers and hikers together. Tents were the norm, when it rained, we all got wet together. At some point, Ted and I upgraded to a tiny caravan, which transformed our hiking experience. At the end of a hiking day, we could get dry, eat food without battling the elements and play cards at a table. It was bliss. But then evening gave way to sleep and Candy would have to make the long walk back to her tent. 

On cold, wet nights morning could not come soon enough. We would have breakfast together in the little caravan. The signal that we were awake was to pull back the curtains. 

After one particularly wild night, we could hear the zipper on Candy’s tent open and close with some regularity. We peered through a crack in the curtains to see her little face, appear and disappear, hopeful and expectant. It was quite comical from our vantage point. She then saw us … made a dash to the door, expletives in full flow… all was forgiven as coffee was already poured. 

Thank you my friend, for this memory and many more. 

Deb