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It was Valentine’s day, also Ed’s birthday. A very special day. Anticipating an evening of celebration and love, I quickly left work winding my way home navigating all the short cuts.

Something smelled so good as I walked through the front door, teasing me into our cozy little kitchen. There he stood smiling, holding a platter with meatloaf carefully molded into the shape of a heart.

How sweet is that? My own heart skipped a happy beat.

Sitting at the dinner table, sharing the events of the day, quietly enjoying this moment, when Ed handed me a small box, coaxing me to hurry and open it. Lying on the fluffy cotton mound was the most beautiful Turquoise Choker I had ever seen, created by Thomas Reano, a well known Native American jewelry designer.

Ed was quick to explain, that it was one of a kind collector piece, signed by the artist. “But it’s your birthday”, I countered, “How generous, the special meat loaf is enough”.

“Well, it will be for our anniversary also.”

Which was still four months away.
Ed never made that anniversary. He passed away quite suddenly in May. That could
be the end of the story; it is not.

Six months later I was sitting in the lounge area of the ‘Inn At Loreto’ in
beautiful downtown Santa Fe.

Knowing my interest in Native American history and art, my daughter encouraged me
to come back into the world of the living, she having reserved a place for me with a
tour group traveling to New Mexico.

Chatting with a fellow traveler, I was interrupted by a little Native Indian lady holding
a tray of authentic jewelry. She quietly whispered, “My son made that choker (I was
wearing THE TURQUOISE CHOKER).

I bent my head down, removing the choker to show her, and when I looked up, she was gone.

I asked my tour mate, “did you see where she went?”

“Who” she asked.

“The little lady with the tray of Jewelry”

“I didn’t see anyone”.

Feeling a little spooked, I got up and combed the lounge. I looked around the lobby, the
restrooms, and circled the entire patio several times. No little Indian lady. I asked the
other people sitting around, but no one saw the little lady. I could not shake this
strange feeling. Was that a visit from Ed? I’m not much of a believer, but there was no
other answer.

That introduced me to the Native American world. I ultimately became a docent in the
oldest Native American Museum (known as the Southwest Museum, located in
southwest Pasadena, California). Happily, that offered several more trips to New
Mexico.

FIVE years later, walking down Main Street along side of the ‘Inn At Loreto’ when
once again, I heard, “My son made that choker”.

I quickly turned and grabbed the arm of the little lady and said “Do you know what you did to me for the last five years?” You
are real, I am so happy to meet you”. She took me by the hand and guided me to an
area on another street to meet her daughter, Angie Reano, also a well recognized
Native American Indian artist.

That was thirty seven years ago. I cherish my beautiful signed Turquoise choker. But
would really be happier sitting across from my love, Edward A Forray, sharing meat
loaf in the shape of a heart.

Celebrating my 95th Birthday gave me the opportunity to pass this original, beautiful,
signed by the artist Turquoise Choker on to the next generation to enjoy.

dorys