Today would have been David’s 46th birthday. I really miss him. It’s hard to believe someone so can be gone so quickly. He had been around so much that it’s hard to believe he could ever be gone. Left – Picture of David in Wakatobi in 2005.
He loved to travel and see the world. He especially liked to visit with natives and see how they live. He commented to me that it’s much better to see the world when you have kids, because kids are a great door opener. He said that before kids, he and DeDe would go places and they didn’t get invited to the local’s residences. After kids they got invited inside and got to see how people live. This was very interesting to him.
He also loved the natives in Mexico. He told me one time about how honest, hardworking and giving the locals in Baja were. He broke down in his car one time and a local helped him fix it, and stayed with him until it was done. Afterwards the man wouldn’t accept any payment, even tough he was very poor.
There were a lot of stories like that where David helped out as well. On a long flight one time, there was a man who had a heart attack, and David stabilized him and took care of him so they could land at the nearest airport. I’ve had a lot of people come up to me and tell me stories like this. I really miss him.
I thought of David yesterday and his birthday and of what a special man he was. I was in the hospital and remembering the times in the past when David was with DeDe at my side encouraging me and checking every aspect of my care with the doctors and nurses. I felt their presense with me and it was comforting yet sad! I did not often get to celebrate with David for parties celebrating him and he was one that I just never knew what to gift him with. He was one that believed giving of himself and taking so very little for himself. I wish I could have visited the bench yesterday and sat there and remembered how very special he was to me, he I am sure never knew how much I loved him not only for his love of DeDe, Luke and Ryan, but also because he let me know how much I meant to him. I miss you David and will always, and am so thankful for the wonderful memories of the times we shared in such a short time. Oh, I was on the woman’s ward of UC Davis hospital where the mothers that just gave birth and their new babies shared space near me. I told one of the nurses that I was just where I should be, DeDe could visit some of those new ones while also being close to me. God does work in loving and joyful ways. Happy Birthday David, I know you all celebrated in some special way as you always did. Love and Hugs! Linda Mom * Nana
was in santa cruz yesterday and sat on the bench with my daughter. thought of all of you who are missing your beloved ones. big hugs.
A group of 10 divers are leaving town tomorrow for the Baja to spend 4 days diving in Cabo Pulmo. We all know eachother because of Dave and Dede. As we fly over Mulege we will reflect on the influence they had on that little town and the people they knew there. When we’re underwater swimming with the fish we will reflect on what it was like experiencing this magical world with the Houghtons. One dive story that always makes me smile; while diving in Egypt with the Houghtons, we descended on a ship wreck that had plumbing fixtures on board as cargo when it went down. littered on the sea floor were bath tubs, sinks and toilets. Luke and Ryan were so excited to go underwater and sit on toilets! Just the kind of thing young boys love to do!
A caring, adventurous, generous, curious man. Wish I could have known him better. Such an inspiration. Thinking of you John, and wishing you comfort, peace and love.