Another thing....

What I really like about being a clay artist is no matter what your talent, be it nursing, swimming or potting, when you find your place in the universe you get a little closer to God.

In Loving Memory: David Po July 22,1954/Feb 9, 2005
Aloha, from the land of enchantment, I am David’s favorite sister Rita. I thought I would tell you a little you might not know about David and his family. He has four sisters & three brothers. Dorea, his oldest sister lives in Florida with her husband. They don’t have children but have an insane love of wildlife and lizards. Peggy, next in line is about the hardest working woman I have ever known, life has been hard for her but she has shown a wonderful “work through it spirit”. She has found healing in this life in her adventures of hunting and fishing, what can I say, run Bambi run! Debbie lives here in New Mexico only 8 miles from me, we see each other often, Debbie is a sweet nurturing woman who is always helping out others, often without regard for herself. Debbie’s children are her pets. Charlie, the business man in the family lives with his Wife and their many children in Wisconsin they are all very musical and Charlie plays the slide trombone in the church choir. Michael, David’s favorite brother is a very handy man always building something. Michael and David bonded as siblings often do. I recall a time when David and Michael traveled to Jamaica on a vacation together, Michael was a few years younger and he was so excited to have traveled the world with his big brother. I can still see their smiling faces at the joy of their high time's together. Larry the youngest of the boys shares a house with our mother. Larry has a wonderful family he and his wife have lots of children, too many to name. You can get the greatest hugs in the world from Larry’s children.

Then there is myself, wife, and mother and clay artist. My life here in NM is a wonderful life and I have, clearly have, my Dear brother David to thank for guiding me here. Many years ago David was here visiting friends, one of the many exotic places he traveled to and David invited me to come visit him here. We traveled all over the state, David had friends every where he went, His friends were some of the most generous, kind loving people on this earth. The words you reap what you sow come to mind.

The Land of Enchantment cast its magic on my soul, David left New Mexico and I stayed and built my life here. I imagine Hawaii and the magic of the waves, held the same type of allure for my brother as the call of the mountains held for me. I am fortunate to have a wonderful husband who got to meet and know David, and more fortunate to have two loving children who dreamed of traveling to Hawaii to meet this gentle giant of a brother that I often talked about. My children are sad knowing the loss their cousins must be feeling right now.

David and I both grew up in the "back of the yards" stockyard area of Chicago. I remember many hot summer nights when David cooled off the entire neighborhood by turning on the corner fire-hydrant and flooding the neighborhood with cool clean water to wash away the day’s dirt.

<>Oh the joy that lived in our hearts when David was around, for he did not live within the boundaries that we knew. He embraced life and like no one I have ever known. I miss him so much and always have.

David and I have both lived a tumultuous life so separate and yet so much alike. Many years ago I made a conscious decision to let go and let God work in my life. I have been blessed each day with forgiveness and grace. It's my hope that all will come to an understanding that life is bigger than you and me and nothing is as sweet as it is when you do it with God at your side. I believe David understood this and was able to give up his life to God.

I believe that we give a lot more to each other in this life than we ever give ourselves credit for and my life is a testament to that, had it not been for David’s unselfish act of kindness to me, my life might have turned out quite differently. I am eternally grateful for my Brother David’s love and life.

In loving Memory,
Rita S. Ryan