From"Ilana" <smiles@golden.net>

Subject[R] Carl memories...

DateWed, 7 Oct 1998 080209 -0400



In the past six months, I met two people who profoundly affected my life.

One is the man I am currently dating; the other Carl Merrill.



I met Carl in May, in Calgary. I met a wonderfully nice man, who proceeded

to tell me how great it was a woman was getting involved with driving

performance rallies in Canada.  He then told me a cute story or two, and

gave me lots of advice.



I saw him again in June, at STPR. I wasn't looking to talk to him at all,

really, I was too busy being nervous about my first major event. Carl came

and found me, and told me not to be nervous, after he saw me pacing around

like a nut during one of the pauses during the day.



At Baie, we actually had a small water fight *chuckle*  I was feeling grumpy

before the rally, and he cheered me up. *smile*



At Maine he wished me luck, and at Voyageurs, he told me it was great I

hadn't quit after my off at Maine, even though I was nervous. He said he

know how it felt, since he had been off a time or two himself *smile*.



Adding it up, I only talked to Carl six times, in six months. But he was the

kind of man that cared about everyone, and everything. And kindness and

caring mean a lot. He cheered me up, calmed me down, reminded me of what I

loved about rally.



I will miss that kindness, that thoughtfulness.  So will many others. Carl

was well loved, and will be genuinely missed.



Ilana





Everything changes

Everything passes.

Go, friend, on your journey.

We have come this far in love

but we can no longer walk with you.

Change may not be undone;

that which passes, passes away.

Go, now, to the Land of the Gods,

the Summerland, the Land of Apples,

there to rest and be refreshed.

But when you are ready

and reborn on the earth,

may it be in the same time and the same place

as your loved ones

that we may meet, and know, and remember,

and love again.

-author unknown