Caffea Arabica

Caffea Arabica

She developed a"Garden for Health" in a famous park in San Diego, California. It was her contribution to humankind here on earth. She loved kids and was committed to their education. Her labors as a substitute teacher were self-sacrificing. In fact, self-sacrificing was a common component to her personality. I told her that it was an unhealthy occupation and encouraged her to end the torture. However, her mortgage needed to be paid and she persevered as a substitute teacher. She stayed in denial of its ill effects upon her health.

We had often hugged. The embrace was a sharing of love by two friends. The love had always been a friendship, nothing more. She was content with it.

It was over a year ago that we were together at the Los Angeles Times Festival of the books and I noticed in her words that she was losing touch with reality. I said nothing to her about it. My friend was ill and I knew it. I didn't think she was aware of her illness. She didn't know that cancer had begun its death march.

It was this time less than a year ago that I visited her in the hospital and brought her chocolate and flowers. I gave her a hug. I loved her. The illness was consuming her. It was the last time I saw her alive. It was but a short time after my visit that she passed.

I'm sad now as I write, and with sadness I was at her "garden" yesterday. I stood by her "Caffea Arabica" where her ashes had been laid. She had donated "Caffea Arabica" to the garden. I reached out and my arms formed an embrace and goose bumps streamed through my skin as I felt, as I felt her spirit embracing me. The energy was uncanny, electric, warm, and loving. The synchronicity of the experience was spiritual in nature, and her spirit was very present. I felt fear, and love because of the experience. However, I surrendered, let go of, relinquished the fear and now I'm left with the sadness of "Caffea Arabica".

Best
Joel V. BA. Education, BBA. Business Admin, M.A. Master's of Psychology, Human Behavior.