Dale.

Today we are going to a church to remember a man I've known all of my life. A man so full of life and the spirit of living that the world has felt a little empty and colorless since he passed last Sunday morning. If you had ever met Dale Nelson even just in passing, you'd know what I was talking about. He was so full of an exuberant passion for so many things (most notably his two sons) that it was almost addicting to be around him. As if his passion and love of life and all the things you could create while living just might rub off on you if you were to be with him just a little longer. I wish he would be here just a little longer.

Dale was such an amazing creator and lover of many things. Food, wine (I can't count the number of evenings spent with the Nelsons, my parents, good food and ALWAYS great wine), baseball, photography, writing, and a passion that some of you may not remember- landscaping. mmmhmmm. For the longest time, Dale Nelson had the most amazing front and backyard I had ever seen (not saying it's not beautiful now, but you should have seen it before his love of photography came along). Everything from exotic flowers and trees to the fountain and shed in back to the meticulously laid brick patio (that my dad still talks about laying with Tracy's dad on the hottest day that the world has ever known) was Dale. He had so much pride in his yard and it truly was beautiful.

That was one of the many beauties of Dale. He didn't just have fleeting interests that came and went, he truly studied and perfected the art that he was creating. He took so much pride in his life, created such beautiful things and always wanted to teach anyone who had the slightest interest in what he was doing. He was so engaging, intelligent, funny, loving and just cool. Saying goodbye is going to be really hard.

I will miss you very much Dale, but remembering you fills my heart with so much happiness, laughter, and love.