Lights on Earth become Lights in the Sky

On May 12, I had a need in my heart for friendly support. I reached out my dragon hand and posted an open invitation for a goal partner.  One of the few people who chose to accept my invitation was Tina Downey at Life is Good. I met Tina during an A to Z Challenge but I didn't get to know her until she became part of the Fellowship of the Dragon. She immediately dazzled me with her amazing enthusiasm, her kindness and the greatness of her spirit. In spite of her serious healthy issues, she proved to be one of the strongest beings I've met. Strong of will, strong in determination, strong in the way she loved and her ability to express it by helping others in every way she could. Tina was such an outstanding person that made her way deep into this dragon's heart in barely three months.

I am not sure if I managed to give her at least a bit of what she expected when she became my dragon fellow. She gave me more than I could have hoped for sure. Eight days before her passing, Dr. Tina (as she asked me to call her) sent me lots of useful advice to ease my Carpal Tunnel Syndrome pain.  She ended her note with the following words.

"Yes, I'm kicking you in the rear, but I suspect you can take it better than most considering those scales are protecting you and your dwarves will likely take me hostage..."

They would have, if given enough time, because Tina was a treasure to be cherished. Tina's health was not the best, but her sense of humor was supreme and her love for life was inspiring. Her warrior spirit reminded me so much of my beloved grandfather, Father Dragon "The Great", that I can't express just how much I regret not getting to know her earlier. Yet, I am extremely grateful for being on at least a small part of her journey.

Additionally to Tina's, another light left my world this weekend. On Friday, my most beloved uncle made his last flight and went back to the Higher Powers. He gave us laughter, wisdom, and love. Lots of love and lots of laughter, mostly against the will of his wife and offspring. His life wasn't easy. He also knew what hell on Earth was, but he always strove to make the best out of everything. He worked devotedly to kindle lights on the paths of those who traveled the dark paths he had traveled and showed them the right ones. He was an endless source of riveting stories. He was the best uncle in dragon history and I'll miss him deeply. He was The Wanderer Dragon and now he is with Grandma and Grandpa "The Great".

Sometimes I wonder what will be left behind when I'm gone. Many believe that one needs to do extraordinary deeds to be remembered or that we need years to leave a mark in peoples' lives.

I used to look back and see no heroic deed, no best-seller book, no award winning artwork, and I thought "I've done nothing to be remembered by."

I knew Tina for a few weeks and I knew the Wanderer Dragon since I can remember. For as long as I live, I'll always remember them both. Not for whatever greatness they achieved in their life, but for the lights they kindled in mine. For every laughter they brought out of my heart, for every kind gesture, for every lesson I learned thanks to them, including this one.

It is the small daily things (that we may consider meaningless) that we do with our heart, that find their way into others' hearts. Those small things set lights in their hearts, leaving the trace of our journey through life. Eventually, they will also light our path when time comes for us to leave this earth. The quality of one's soul can be measured by how much joy he brought to others and how much joy he found in Life, I think.

Life is Good, Tina said. And she'll live on in those who live this good life with a smile despite bad circumstances, like she did.

Godspeed, Tina. Godspeed, beloved uncle. There are tears in my eyes, but the smile in my heart is brighter and bigger. Thank you for enriching my life with your presence. Godspeed and until we meet again, Dragon Hugs!