FRIENDS AND MENTORS in Postcards 4

2017: Claudia. Photo: Family.

Once long, long ago, I made a phone call just the phone man was there to take out the phone. I was answering an ad for cook and general factotum. The writer, Joan, had cooked two kinds of beans for dinner the previous day and knew that wasn’t working. I came and worked my way through the first four years of college with Joan and her husband Phil’s help. I learned a wondrous amount about life from the two of them. She died a few days ago in her 90’s.

Once just a few years ago I met a lady who had what I wanted and was willing to share it: Inner peace, a sense of humor, focus, caring and balance. I loved her and her passions in life…not that I was willing to go hiking or biking around the bay. Her presence in my life made me a far far better person. She died Sunday on her way into surgery to repair a shattered leg and hip.

Joan Farman at 20.