We first meet Craig, Renae & Kaya at the neighborhood Pre-School. We would bump into each other at drop off and pick up. We did the occasional play date with Kaya and bumped into each other in the neighborhood from time to time.
We held an annual Easter egg hunt, Summit Park style (we're we would bury the eggs in the snow). One year Craig brought Kaya up for it. He gave me lots of insightful information on high altitude composting and we were stoked to know he was a avalanche forecaster. My husband and I, were starting to explore the back country and that particular year, we geared up with some nice split boards. We planned to do some avalanche awareness courses and we're blown away that Craig offered to take us out. We both we're left wanting to know more about this jolly character who seemed to share similar interests. He offered to take my paper plates out of my recycle to put them in his compost and from that moment on he gained brownie points then and there and I thought instantly "what a stand up guy".
C & R invited us to a few home BBQ's which we were unable to attend for one reason or another (bummer). Craig mentioned that we should get together sometime soon, unfortunately for us, not soon enough, I'm sorry to say.
The beginning of this school year, I started a Girl Scout troop with another friend in the neighborhood. Quite often, Craig would pick up Kaya after a meet. If my husband Bill was home, the two of them would talk it up. The last meet, I saw Craig, we had invited Kim and her cold blooded creatures over for a demonstration for the girls. When he walked in, Kaya was holding this massive tarantula in her hands. Kaya held up this hairy spider with much delight and said "look Daddy, look what I've got". He literally turned grey and started twitching. I went up to him later and asked him if he would like to hold one of the snakes and he turned to me and said "I think I'll pass, I'm a mammal kinda guy". He still oozed enthusiasm and was happy to show Kaya he approved so he made his way over to a not so scary fat bullfrog that wasn't getting a whole lot of attention. I would often notice how attentive he was with Kaya. She would bounce over to him and talk about what she had learnt and done at the meet.
Renae and I have gotten to know one another a little more since our worlds have collided into the Art Room at the school. The wonders of the universe presents itself in the timing. Our timing was edging nearer and I'm so grateful I had the opportunity to be touched by Craig and even more humbled to know Renae and Kaya. Craig's two amazing, intelligent, beautiful girls. It's an absolute pleasure knowing Renae and I hope my family can help her and Kaya on their path in life, light and love. Cheers to Craig, celebrating a fortunate life and here's to many more.
Belinda
