WATER AND FIRE IN THE DISTANCE

Sunset recently in Austin TX. USA

Lake Travis and the Sun we ALL know.

3? or 8?..or 38?

Oh goodness, I have issues...

Not feeling like " A Star", or even close to one? for they are out of reach it seems?...with arms at side.

AND with me,... questioning which way is up?

two minute drill

(Spent allot of time on this one, five years back!) ......See Title

"Art Therapy", has been very good for me over the years.

My wish for you is, if for any reason you wish to leave the place you call home ?

May it be that you're going to and not from.

To win one hundred victories in

one hundred battles is not the

highest skill. To subdue the enemy

without fighting is the highest skill

-Sun Tzu

1-26-68 / 10-01-05 MUCH too short

Timing is everything, and in this case? Death Absolutely Sucks!

It happens to everyone at some point, that's guaranteed. Is the when and how that sometimes causes one to be......at a loss for words perhaps?
My Sister has meant the World to me, she lost someone so very dear to her.
37 John Battaglia was armed with a kind and generous spirit, and a great sense of humor, he had the World by the horns. John was a huge Texas Longhorn's fan, season tickets etc. He'd received his BA from University of Texas and his MBA from Texas Tech University. This after highschool, some of which was spent as an exchange student in Franskston, Australia.
John loved Manchester United English Soccer team, Essendon, Aussie Rules Football team. John had also played 'footy' Aussie Rules football for both Dallas Magpies and Austin Crows, he was a very accomplished player, playing on a U.S. Revolution National team in a tournament in the UK.
John worked as a financial consultant at Dell in Austin, rode mountain bikes, was a lover of Art and History and so much more.
My sister and he met about five or six years ago I think? through work and became closer a couple years later. They'd traveled some around the world, they did share good times. I've never in my life seen my sister happier, and that is absolutely so. And those that spoke of him said the same thing of him.
He had Non Hodgkins Lymphoma, was the picture of health to that point.
It took him after 18months of diagnosis? A courageous battle was fought, Chemo, Radiation remission, Chemo again, I think were the chain of events?
I NEVER quite honestly saw a scenario, where "fixed" wasn't the ending to this situation, then the story was to go,"Wendy and John lived happily ever after"
Wendy called me the evening of the 13th of September and said to me "The Doctors say there is no hope at this point, with his blood count and.........." I'll admit it, I lost it on the phone, I cried for her, for me, for the World. She continued, "we're getting married tomorrow" they'd had plans to after he got better, it was for him and took place in the chapel from his wheelchair, here they exchanged their vows. Even then, I didn't see it ending, I just wouldn't allow myself perhaps? And John didn't give up or in to the very end.
Something I'll never forget, after the ceremony, John sitting alone with his thoughts and touching his wedding ring and saying to himself, "alright,....Alright" I will never forget that,.... he was so happy.
I wish I'd had more time to get to know him, have him as part of my life, the family. So many lost so much with his passing.
I've had very few dealings with death, I'm not complaining mind you.
And I think? with my cognitive state having been changed many years ago, is it somehow seen differently by me? I don't know?
I do know that many things are?
Must say,.....NOt complaining, I am OK.
AT the service many said the obvious, "Be strong for your Sister" I do wish I could ease the pain somehow. She's been there for me over the years, steadfast. I do what I can.