At the turn of the century while the world waited for the Y2K bug to crash all our computer programs, Dave suggested we start the new century with something beautiful and peaceful -- watching the sunrise together on New Year’s morning 2000. We loved the idea! 2019 marked the 20th year of this tradition with Ruth and Dave, always followed by a yummy breakfast, a great visit, sometimes watching a movie or concert together, and on occasion an afternoon nap (not together). We didn’t always see the sunrise – sometimes it was overcast and cloudy but it didn’t matter. It was a great way to start every year – with our friends Ruth and Dave. We got together other times, but New Year’s morning was a given, no matter how busy our lives were. We knew we’d watch the sunrise together.
This year, Dave brought his nifty orange coloured music device and while out on the pier we listened to Cat Stevens ‘Morning Has Broken’. He then asked us our favourite songs and found them and played them (mine being Gypsy Carnival performed by Mantovani which is REALLY hard to find -- no-one but Dave could ever have found it). Like every other year, we sat on the concrete bench and talked about how comfy it is and took selfies. Some months later while visiting Dave in the hospital, he, Dan & I were together in his room and he asked if we had ever listened closely to the words of ‘Morning Has Broken’. He told us to close our eyes and the three of us listened to it together again, reliving our New Year’s morning and drinking in the words. It was a teary and spiritual experience. We talked of what the words meant to Dave, every day a re-creation, new dawn, new hope, new light. It was one of many treasured moments with Dave. He and Ruth are friends that we can be laughing with one minute and crying the next. Dave turned every moment into the memorable. He has enriched our lives and Dan and I are so blessed to be considered his friend. Until we meet again dear friend.
Merrilee and Dan Fraser