FRIENDS AND MENTORS

  Joan Farman at 20.

Once long, long ago, I made a phone call just as the phone man was there to take out the phone.  I was answering an ad for cook and general factotum.  The writer, Joan, had cooked two kinds of beans for dinner the previous day and knew that wasn’t working.  I came and worked my way through the first four years of college with Joan and her husband Phil’s help.  I learned a wondrous amount about life from the two of them.   She died a few days ago in her 90’s.

Once just a few years ago I met a lady who had what I wanted and was willing to share it:  Inner peace, a sense of humor, focus, caring and balance.  I loved her and her passions in life…not that I was willing to go hiking or biking around the bay.  Her presence in my life made me a far far better person.  She died Sunday on her way into surgery to repair a shattered leg and hip.  Her bike fell on her.

  Claudia hiking.  Photo: Family.