When Angels Fly Home

Today is November 12, 2004 and the air is somewhat still, the night quiet with a very strange vibe. 

It all started with receiving an email from a friend complaining about things all created by herself along with all the drama around her.  Then suddenly I began to chat with a dear friend who dealt with some deep challenges in life.  Her mom and I are friends and she has a brother and a younger sister. 
Her mother, who became an awesome person in my life always called me an angel and I use to laugh, I mean we both use to laugh so much.  I could not believe the courage in this woman along with her love for her kids.  A hard working single parent that never complaint about anything.

I remember one day at this salon, she was having her hair done and I came to meet her there to have dinner after.  She looked at me and she was not happy.  Why because they cut too much hair and I told her, it's okay, it looks okay, and it will grow out.
She started to laugh and I thought wow, cool she's happy again.  She then tells me it was a 400.00 wig!  This was a moment, I mean, here is this woman who never spoke about her pains and she was battling cancer.  When she past, it was a day I felt an angel has flown home.  Because she left amazing messages and shown amazing love that most people never do. 

Like her, beautiful people live their life with both arms open.  And when such challenges arise, they walk through it with such grace and compassion for others when they of all people, need to be embraced.

Several years after, I lost another friend who once told me, "Russ you are the most colorful person I have ever met."  And I never knew why he'd say such a thing.  But you know, after the pain of his departure, I looked back and realized that he left me so many reasons to be colorful and taught me that each day, each moment is an opportunity to to be happy.  As he was one that laughed a lot. 

Later this evening, an email that said, "Do you remember so and so that you use to dance with Russell?  Well, she died on Wednesday."  My heart had stopped because just earlier in the day I had started this posting called "When angels fly home." And didn't write anything in it till now. 

I don't want to ever forget these friends who left a mark in my life ever.  And although I know, people normally forget to celebrate these lives after time, tonight I celebrate all those who so gracefully touched my life.  It is these times life becomes clear on what really is important.  It is these angles who fly home, that makes you homesick.  It is these angles that lived their purpose in life, delivered their messages to you and makes you wonder, what your last stop will be before flying home.

And so, tonight, I dedicate this blog to all those near and far who's angel has flown home.  Because I am homesick, and miss every one of them and to the recent departure of Anea Carreira, you have always been the best dancer I have ever shared moments with. 

Always remember, when angels fly home, you know, because they leave you with this feeling of homesick.  And all the messages that they left you, all become alive and the signs and current movement captures you and your wings... get ready to fly.

It's 1:07 a.m. right now and it's raining, my day finally comes to and end and it all makes sense. 

Russell Tanoue
www.russelltanoue.com

 

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