I crossed paths with you again, but you were already gone.

Hey Lara-
Remember your brief days at the creosote ridden old store on Capitol Hill? I do. I remember vividly the look of shock on your face when I showed a customer how to work a belay device. You thought I was about to get into a shitload of trouble. “You can’t show people how to work those things!” That was a long time ago, in the early 90’s. I recall you were just getting into climbing. I also recall Chad was working there at the same time and he was just getting into climbing. You two were not an item then, yet pursued the heights with equal vigor. I have run into Chad on multiple occasions, once at the base of Mt. Hunter in a very memorable snowball (actually snow shovel loads) battle at which we broke a pole of his tent. Later at trade shows in SLC where he told me he married you. When he said it, he asked if I remembered you. I thought that was funny. You’re a hard one to forget. When he told me that, my first thought was “Excellent! I’ll get to cross paths with Lara again.” Our little mountain community is rather small and incestuous, so I knew I would see you again.
And I did cross paths with you again, but you were already gone. I saw your footprints at the base of Mt. Dickey on Tuesday, but you left on Monday. And Mark told us on Thursday what happened.
Chad- I cannot fathom your loss. I tried to put myself in your position, but I know I can’t. I have spent the past week thinking of you. All deaths are hard, but this one is harder. Peace my friend.

She was the earth
The solid ground supporting me
Now a gaping void
Threatens to swallow me.

She was the fire
A burning spirit of awe and wonder
A source of endless heat
And now I am shivering.

She was the sea
Teeming with the energy of life
Feeding my soul
And now I am hungry.

now She is the dawn
The blossoming glow in the eastern sky.
Good morning sunshine,
It’s so good to see you again.

Dave Allan
La Conner, WA