Memories from Denis & Denruth Lougeay (friends)

      We were next door neighbors with the Ritchies in the very early 70’s.  Gisela and Paul were the best of neighbors, and all four of us were "young marrieds".  Gisela was always the pensive one, and Paul was an energetic action figure.

      The palm tree is an excellent example of the Ritchie’s neighborly sacrifice.  It was a fall weekend and I mentioned to Paul that there was a “free” palm tree in a yard not far from us.  Paul immediately said "Let's go look at it," and off we went.  Because it was so large, we convinced ourselves that it was a real bargain.

      So we dug around it for most of the morning and finally had it out.  Then, with the help of several other neighbors, we transported it back to our houses and moved it between them.  We dug a large hole in the corner of our yard, just across the fence from the Ritchies, and carefully planted it.  It was an all-day job, and Gisela supported us with baked goods.

      Well, several months later, the palm was showing no signs of life.  So Paul and I dug it up and rolled it down to the canyon behind our houses. Meanwhile, Denruth went to the nursery to purchase a small palm to plant in that area.  When she returned, she informed Paul and me that the nursery said the palm would make it, but probably just needed better drainage.  Yes, Paul and I dragged the monster back up the hill and replanted it with some improved drainage!

      It was not long after that the Ritchies moved to a bigger house and we also left not longafter that for a similar homestead.  With young families and careers, our contact became intermittent. This photo is how we most remember Gisela and family.  Aren’t they great together?          

      But then in August of 2001, we were heading through northern California and noticed that the town of Paradise was not far away.  We decided to see if we could reconnect.  Sure enough, we found an embroidery shop and figured we might be close.  The squeals of joy are unforgettable, as the girls saw each other and hugged.  We spent a wonderful couple of days enjoying their wonderful wilderness and reliving memories of when we were young and foolish, now having progressed to old and foolish.

‘Dear Gisela…we shall both miss you. Even though our paths took us in different directions, it is a lonelier world knowing that you are no longer in it…but joyful  that  you are truly now in Paradise.’