for rusty

To Rusty and all of us who loved her.

I found out the most wonderful woman in my life died recently.

She was my theater teacher in high school and she coached me all through college. She had a capacity for love, genuine care, and kick-your-ass if you needed it that was beyond compare. Had it not been for her and the open armed acceptance I found in her stern nurturing and relentless support I would have never survived high school and some of the later tramas of college and life.

She never turned anyone away - ever, she took in every stray and lonely soul and found a place for each and everyone of us...from the shy lad from Guatemala to the 225 pound jock who needed an art credit. Her magic was her love for life, she brought a whirling dervish of energy and life fully lived to every day.

I slept in the theater, at her house, she fed me, loved me, yelled at me when I deserved it - and does anyone NOT remember those damn keys!!!

She was the first person in my in my life to believe in me, to tell me that I could do anything I wanted without restraint. She was the first to teach me to take risks, how to really live, and to listen and follow my heart. I can not even imagine what my life would have looked like if she hadn't been in it...she altered it so completely and wonderfully. She would tell stories to encourage us and in her soft way let us know that she had done it and seen it all. ( so if we thought that we were going to get away with anything...think again! ) It was a family she created in that theater, amongst seats, curtains, lights, and make-up...with all of its ups and downs, good and bad times and the 'oh, shit ALL of the lights just went out!'

I have never met anyone who radiated joy of living more and acceptance of all of those around us. She fought for us, pushed us, loved us, and will continue to shine through all of the lives she touched.

Thank you darling friend and teacher, I am forever grateful.