Sweet message from Wendy Reis

I've been asked by people, why do I want to be a caregiver? The answer is, because if you're lucky,just once in your career you may get to meet someone like Ed. Over the year and a half that I was with him, to the world he was my client and I was his home helper. But to me, he was my brother. I once explained to Eve how I felt and she started crying. She said "you get it, you get Ed, you know the real Ed." He was a friend, occupying my heart like I've never experienced before. He got to know me as well as I knew him and when I would come in on a Monday morning, without saying a word, he would know what kind of a weekend I had. He would encourage with a hug and a smile. Every single day I learned something from him. On our walks, he would teach me names of different clouds. His knowlege of nature was unlimited.
I knew that some days were more of a struggle for him than others. Yet when we would go into a store and someone would ask him how he was doing, he'd say in a boisterous voice "I'm doing good, its a GREAT day."
I made a personal goal to help him smile every day. We had alot of laughs, we shared concerns and yes, when he needed to cry I would just tell him that I loved him and give him his space. He fought a good fight. What a blessing his friendship has been to me. I don't believe it was luck that brought me to the Eschner home. I believe the Lord knows the end from the beginning and he knew that we were meant to be friends.I will miss that infectious laugh and the twinkle in his eyes.
So, Ed, till we all meet again, go hiking in Heaven. I'm sure its even more beautiful than Yosemite.
This is a poem that Ed gave me.
Just think of stepping on Shore
And finding it Heaven
Of taking hold of a hand
And finding it Gods hand
Of breathing new air
And finding it celestial air.
Of feeling invigorated
And finding it immortality
Of passing from Storm and
Tempest
To an unbroken calm
Of waking up .....
And finding it Home

My Love To You
Wendy II