On a small day in October

While I still struggle with my mother's loss, this week set the Outer Banks reeling with the loss of "Steve the Dream" Thomas and Ron Mcknight. Both of these men passed away, one from cancer and one from a surfing accident. I knew both of them, not well, but we were friendly.

Ron I met in the water, on my surfboard. He was always kind to me, rooting me on when I actually caught a wave. Giving me encouragement and he was always positive. If he hadn't seen me in the water for a while, he would ask how I was. Interestingly enough, I don't think I ever saw him on 'land'. But in the lineup we would chat about his life and my life. I counted him as a friend.

Steve was a performer. But he was a sweetheart with a beautiful voice. I met him personally when he was studying voice under Ruth Wyand. He loved his children, he loved music, he loved surfing. He was always kind to me. They were both, always kind to me.

On the same day that Ron's friends paddled out to celebrate his life, Steve lost his in the water. It was a small day in the water in October....2 kind souls were called home.