My Aunt Alyce was a beautiful soul. I was flower girl in her wedding, following her husky "Kanook", down the dirt road to meet her best friend, Paul. It started to rain and we danced barefoot in the mud as Paul played with his band into the night. Years later, we would travel together (with my mom) to Italy. She loved her home in Newport/Toledo, Oregon and I would return there every other year so we could spend time together, renting a house along the Oregon coast. (My mom would fly up from Texas so the three musketeers could reunite) Though I miss her dearly and my tears haven't dried, I can feel her in the air outside. Every day on the trail, if I stop, I can feel her, like particles of light with substance. I hadn't expected that and it helps ease the pain. Forever with me.
