Wishing Nelson M and Leonard W in the Heavens a Happy 100th! You Are Celebrated and Lovingly Remembered...

In addition to July 18th, 2018 being Nelson Mandela's 100th year since his birth, it is also that for Leonard Weber, a kind soul who crossed during the winter. I first learned of that when in a thrift store in Great Barrington MA and mentioned to a man that Leonard  Weber loved opera (and could sing it) when the fellow and I were both looking at records. He said, "Oh is that the Leonard who passed away?"

As sad as that was to hear, I later felt it was a gentle message from Leonard or my angels to let me know my friend was now singing with a heavenly choir. He was primarily known for his art work. Another friend once typed in his name to help me see he was online. That's worth a view so check out hisTownscapes Collection on www.leonardweber.net.

With a service planned for a few days after his 100th birthday, it will be a special remembrance of his desire to 'live to 100' and give talks about his many views on matters of health, humanity, and plenty more (how about fenugreek seeds giving one an aromatic lemony fragrance? Or growing one's own potatoes? Leonard sang to a friend of mine he didn't meet in person who was homebound (and grows her own potatoes.)

When his voice came sailing through her phone, her eyes opened wide and she said, "He's GOOD!" He also chatted with my friend Glenn who also couldn't get out to the Toastmaster meetings or manage to let Len visit, so Glenn and Len had a couple of friendly phone calls. Leonard also spoke off the cuff with a man who'd made it to over a hundred but had some trouble walking.

Even though he had a ton of money and friends, that man was very impressed that Leonard was walking well still in his late nineties. Maybe we can make a more extensive of his tips for longevity and positive living. I just met John Leland who wrote Happiness is a Choice You Make. I would think Leonard would have approved of the subject matter and title so good job, John!

Leonard would also share amazing facts about our beloved 16th President, Abraham Lincoln. We were able to catch a movie of that at the Triplex in Great Barrington MA. Leonard always wanted Lincoln's wife to get more credit for her role in how his life unfolded and how she supported him. Overall, Leonard was one to urge women to stand up for their rights and to help get this world going in a better direction on all fronts. There was still a modern war to be won and women would have to step up to see progress made.

.As someone who served in a non-combat part of World War II he did not just know history, he lived it. He could recount many aspects of the decades first hand from growing up in New York City, attending the Students Art League and then later in life, seeing the world and painting it.

His friends in Japan were some of his biggest fans, putting out a calendar of his artwork for many years in an attractive format that captured many of his fine works. Leonard would gift one to his friends at Southern Berkshire Toastmasters (including me since we were members at the same time and allowed our paths to cross as friends) and some of his regular visitors to his lovely Monterey home where he also had his Hayloft Gallery. Leonard realized he might not make it to the full 100 years and allowed us to celebrate with him on his 95th at the Berkshire Co-op.

Likely we'll be raising a glass to him again remembering his life and that he is fondly remembered at the time of his 100th birthday with his jovial storytelling and operatic voice ringing in our hearts. I'm sure he and Nelson have plenty to converse about from their heavenly plane and will continue to enlighten and inspire us all in our earthly journeys. Here's to our collective health and well-being and shared legacies as we remember all of those who have journeyed on and the lessons they've shared in thought, word, deed and bravely facing their challenges. We'll need all the encouragement we can get as life is apt to get a bit more challenging still. It helps to have some heroes to help us along the way.

Leonard was moved by the stories I shared about my family, my late parents Mary and Dale Palmer, Snrs, and my late teen son Kaelan who tried to save a friend from the Housatonic at flood stage near The Falls in CT. He also heard of the challenges I faced with the turn of events of Tom Drew wandering from his home at age 91  on July 21,2007 when he had dementia and seemed too weak to go far. The mystery of that caused a lot of public discussion and many searches, yet also brought important attention to matters of safety and proper care for any with special needs, particularly elders who were isolated or at risk for driving beyond their skills or otherwise needing assistance.

The more people can 'come alongside' and help out with accountability with the family and others, the better. Maybe we will know more after we cross over, maybe not. If  that is the case , we can keep an open mind and heart. Many psychics and people who have had NDEs (near death experiences) say there's more than most can imagine and it's mainly good and about learning and growing spiritually. So we can think of all of our loved ones as maybe looking out for us and even being in touch with one another.

What If they could do that..what messages might they give us? I will be thinking of many on this July 21st, since that will 11 years since Tom Drew's 'disappearance'  (and strangely also two days before the July 23rd Petit Family tragedy in CT of a home invasion that ended the lives of a mother and two daughters.) With July 21st also being Leonard's memorial service, a time of gathering and reflection will be fitting for the way I piece together the 'stories of our lives.'

Our son Kaelan's service on youtube was this time of year, and his paternal folk singer Grandpa, Sandy Paton passed later in the month. Today visitors came and sang with Caroline Paton who joined in on the chorus at almost 86 even though her health has been challenging these past few months.I extend warm condolences to all of the families and friends of those who have journeyed on ahead of us, however they passed and whenever the time came round. Some we don't know exactly, but the love and lives shared we can reflect on with gratitude.

Let's keep the music and sense of growing circles of friends to light our way over the next ten decades, should we be blessed with such as a livable planet and team of humanity. To end on a lighter note, enjoy a favorite dish your loved ones liked and if you're stumped try Leonard's tip of eating quality chocolate ice cream!