Cusp of June

As I sit here on the cusp of mid year, I am thankful for each day that has passed.  For it means I've made it to the end of another day.  At times this year can't end soon enough.
This past weekend, I said farewell to a teacher, mentor, friend and patient.  He was my open water instructor.  He ruined me for life with scuba diving for he spoiled me to the point of being a clump in water.  Seeing I was a weak sauce, he held my hand and pulled me along under water.  When everyone else was exhausted from a dive, I was still perky, wondering why they thought it was so hard.  When I wanted to give up, he swayed me to continue.  He placed the light in my dull life.  When I told him my belly dancing teacher said, "no," to me, he said I didn't need moving hips to dive.
At his memorial service, his families and friends shared stories of his greatness and generosities.  I've never known him to be any different.  He was my teacher before he was my patient.  He was in the office just a month before he passed.  I've known him for over a decade and each time he comes in, he has optimism that was beyond my reach.  His daughter said he went quick, with his loved ones around him in his home.  I was glad to hear that cancer did not drag him down.  It was also a pleasant surprise when his daughter knew who I was by name.  
So to my teacher who is in heavenly water, you've already climbed the highest mountain on earth, may you continue to find adventure and climb the highest mountain above.  I want you to know I know it was you who landed in my path on my morning walk in form of a bluejay.  Of course you would visit me when I'm outdoor, enjoying the fresh air and feeling happy.   That is my story and I'm sticking to it.  Thank you, RC, for letting me into your life.  You gave me some of my happiest memories.  Mine and Bob's version of Lucy and Ethel on the beach is one of those moments that makes me laugh so hard recalling it every single time.  We still talk about it to this day with the same amount of silliness and laughter.   How you just sat back and watched us fall over and over again was pure joy.  How you cooled me down when I overheated was so fatherly.  We have yet to laugh that hard in years.  I know your spirit will continue to venture out.  At least this time, you have no pain.  Have a great afterlife, R!  Now you don't have to worry about hurting yourself.  Love you.