From the ashes, a new life begins...

She entered my life at 2 a.m. Tuesday, September 27 on a lonely road in Mexico, somewhere south of Hermosillo. Her name is Tessa Maria, with a nickname of 'l'il boogy bear.' She was all alone, pouncing on crickets in the light of an all-night market, grateful for my offerings of left-over steak and boiled chicken. A brighter spirit and more innocent acceptance of fate's end game I've not encountered since Prudence and I crossed paths many years ago. She is now home with me here in Oregon, making each day brighter with her almost unbearable beauty and gift of love. God does work in mysterious ways, and I'm thankful for this knowledge.

And so, for now, this story continues...