He was sitting out on his porch that afternoon. The day was getting late but the setting sun was still warm as he stared out over the water. I never knew him but his house stood there, looming large over this coastal scene. It must have been a pleasant arrangement. What better place to ride out one’s final days than sitting comfortably at home and staring out at an always changing display of natural glory? The dance of light upon the water, now penetrating and revealing the dark depths, later reflecting, casting an upward dance of shimmering angels soaring back to heaven.

-Entry on October 6, 2016

Post-Edit: He passed away not long after I’d hopped his distant neighbor’s fence to paint this scene looking back toward his house while he sat in the fading light of the sun. Thousands of surfers would come to honor his life and help shoulder the burden of loss that his passing wrought on this community. They paddled out and formed a circle in the water more than a half mile across, kept warm by their grateful hearts.

-Entry on June 18, 2017