My most cherished time with Kolu is also the most recent. After living in DC for 15 years, I decided to move to Denver. Kolu volunteered to make the drive across country with me, even though it was not that long after her surgery. We spent 3 days in the car, talking, reminiscing, planning, and dreaming. Each night, we'd have an amazing dinner - Columbus OH, Kansas City, and finally Denver. Along the way, we saw a lot of the countryside - old barns, wind farms - and some bad drivers. We ended up at the same gas station as someone we had been following. Kolu took that opportunity to tell her she was the worst driver she'd ever seen. She was so excited to be able to actually tell someone what she thought of their driving.
Almost exactly halfway through the trip was a solar eclipse. Solar eclipses are symbolic of new beginnings. That evening, we wrote a list of what we wanted to leave behind as we embarked on our new beginnings. As we crossed into Colorado, we tore up our lists and threw them out the window.
After our first dinner in Denver, Kolu realized that her engagement ring was missing. She was inconsolably upset that she had lost a precious gift from him. She wanted to tell Zach right away. I was sure it would turn up and thought she should wait until we looked everywhere. But she couldn't stand the thought of keeping something so important from him even for a little while. He was very understanding and she was so relieved.
That was a very special trip. I am so grateful I had that time with her.
Love,
Carrie
- by Carolyn Walkley, Kolu's cousin
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