Monday, April 25, 2011 John Kearney and I never met face to face. We spoke on the phone only once or twice, yet somehow, this man had an effect on me. I knew nothing about him when he called out of the blue one day in 2010, looking for keys. Motorcycle fork keys to be precise. He had purchased (not from me but from another man that I sold it to) a BMW motorcycle that had once been owned by my husband, Roger. Roger, also a free spirit, had passed away from a sudden (unforeseen due to robust health) heart attack in 2001. John was so polite and kind (and I think I may have instantly loved him for his voice alone) when he inquired whether I had some particular keys that would open the saddlebags and other things on the "bike". I did not have a clue at the time if or where I might find these small keys. Nonetheless, because John was so delightful to speak with, I wrote down his phone number and address, stuffed them in a drawer and promptly forgot them. It must have been around December when I did find those special keys, much to my surprise, quite randomly while searching for some other key. I knew instantly that these were what John was hoping to get. I dug his contact info out of that messy drawer, left him a voicemail (I think) and I sent him a holiday card with the keys and a note. He immediately wrote back to me upon their receipt, a very sweet thank you, in which he tucked 2 tiny lavender blossoms (a favorite of mine: how would he know?) along with his heartfelt gratitude that I had remembered him and sent him the missing keys that, in his words, "I didn't realize how much I missed them." Along with the words, "Thank you so much for remembering me." A soul like John, one does not easily forget. A few days ago, I came upon his note again while tidying up my studio. When I saw the pressed lavender blossoms, I thought, "This man is someone special and I ought to keep in touch with him." I had recently found a photo Roger had taken of the brand new BMW bike standing alone in a field and I entertained the idea of sending it to John. But today, oh so sadly, I received the news of John's passing. I simply had to tell this small story of John's impact on me, insignificant as it is. To hear of his untimely passing brought real tears to my eyes. I have no idea why he touched my spirit in this way, but it was all positive and for the good. This man, John Vincent Kearney, was someone special. Via con Dios. sent to those who will miss John greatly, with loving thoughts, Mary Miller Sadler