Everything is clearer now.

Knowing Lou was a Master's course in friendship and selflessness - Love and non judgement of another's circumstance. Everything Lou did came from a place of love.

For those of us left behind, much of life is now about deciphering her legacy - reflecting upon the philosophies Lou wanted us to learn.
Often times, Lou would read to me the teachings of Daskalos as I responded with disingenuous understanding. It was too complicated for me to grasp, but it all came so easily to Lou. That is because she was an advanced spirit. I listened because I loved Lou so much she could have read a recipe to me (as she often did) and I would sit in pure awe. She brought a magic to every move she made.

If we never knew Lou, we would not have in turn be able to share with others her strength in the face of adversity. Her humor in the face of death. Our mutual lessons in life, morbidity, and the true essence of humanity in the eyes if God.

Knowing Lou has set us all up to be the teachers she was to us. We met Lou for a reason. This would upset her, but it wasn't to learn how to make a Kale salad, or cook your own nut milk. We knew Lou so we would know our own purpose and mission in life. And that could only be revealed to us through her passing.

We all feel her death is a tragedy. Why does goodness die when evil thrives?

Lou wants us all to know that her passing was in divine order.

Lou cultivated particular friendships from around the world. Each with their own magnificence. If you were a friend of Lou it was admission to a n exclusive club with Walt as its bouncer and Frances as its hostess.

We all knew that if Lou loved a certain new friend, then we would too. Lou was my best friend. Anyone who was close with Lou considered her their best friend. But since Lou's passing, we all have so humbly realized that none of us were truly Lou's best friend. There was only one entity that earned that place in her heart, and that was God.

If there is anything Lou would want from us all, besides loving Walt and Frances as we do, it is to get to know her best friend. Invite him into your home at least once a day and have a talk. Sit Him down for tea. Lou would like that. And possibly even offer a kale salad. With raisins and nuts inside. No dessert though. We all know how she feels about sugar.

So as we continue this journey of healing, and find ourselves trailing tears into wine, please know that from now on, you are never alone. There will always be this circle of Lou connected forever by her grace. And what better way to live the rest of our lives than with the tools she gave us during her life we can now learn to use to perhaps leave the world a slightly better place than we found it. Just like Lou.