A diamond inspires imagination and ingenuity. They also bring out strength, fortitude, and courage, plus a certain aspect of invisibility. A halo represents wholeness and illumination within that wholeness. 

I giggle when I think of how every time I talk with you on my phone your Drum Major picture pops up. You have to have great leadership skills at a really young age to be chosen, and what a perfect role for you. You have carried that into your adult life so gracefully. You work hard and play hard, and as I tell you all of the time you are just so goddamn beautiful!!   

This painting was fun to make. Because for one you had great colors in mind. For two you are graceful, elegant, hard-working, focused, but down to earth and kind. You are highly in tune with the needs of your friends and loved ones. You possess a certain innocence, charm, and openness. You are at your most happy and settled when you are sharing the life you have with your friends and family. 

When I was in the Colorguard if I lost my place the very first direction was always to look up at the drum major. In the time that we worked together, I lost my place a lot, and there were people I trusted that would help me that I could look to. You were absolutely one of those people.  And so when I think of you, I think of that light up on the podium, a symbol of wisdom and consistency that kept it all together. That is the diamond aspect. The halo is the wholeness, the part that illuminates everything around you in a way that only you can. 

Kevin walked into the room as I was painting and gasped that she was so beautiful. I yelled I know!! But look at Eric!!! Do you see how he is beautiful and this painting is beautiful and they look very different but like exactly the same?! Almost as if your spirit and all of your strength were a wave without a body, this is what it would look like. 

It is no coincidence that you are in San Diego. The way the water illuminates the sky is the same way that the sky illuminates the water. That is the same way that your bright, illuminated, inclusive grace surrounds everyone around you. Thank you for being the person in my life that when I felt like I was failing the most, you could always kind of sense it and thank me for being great anyway. I really, really needed those moments. I don’t think I ever properly thanked you.

You really are a diamond. All that it represents. You’ve been my halo too. I am so honored to bring some sparkle and color (that doesn’t involve a really expensive rave that you have to go to Vegas for) to your and Garrison’s home. He is the perfect addition to your life & I’m so proud to see you become a fancy pup dad. 

I know that throughout your life you will do great things. It’s just who you are and how you do life. You’re like a diamond and a halo, just like this painting. I hope you always see the beauty in yourself in this painting as she reflects back to you, just like the ocean illuminates the sky and the sky illuminates the ocean. I can’t thank you enough for inspiring this. I love you so much, always.