A LIGHT IN THE DARK (the toughest blog Ive ever written)

You may have noticed, if you have read any of my past blogs...., I mention a place called THM ( The Horses Mouth), and a name that is associated with it, Laura. Well, THM and Laura have been a a big part of my life. Laura has been my inspiration ..., my mentor..., my guru...,my coach..., my friend..., my Sis. She helped me pull myself together when I was in a major state of a 6 month depression, she shined light into my darkness and helped me to see. Through her help, I began playing guitar and singing again...,she told me that I should start giving guitar lessons....,that I should start writing a blog....,that I should grab my dreams and run with them...,don't wait to see if they will come true, MAKE them come true. With THM, she gave me the title of THM's MUSIC MAN,(she said Music Director sounded too stuffy), my thing was and is, Hosting Open Mic Nights, and booking acoustic concerts.
Laura and I had many conversations with topics ranging from music, art, travel, religion, nature, just to name a few...there was nothing we didn't talk about. She wanted input on her ideas, to make things happen. She would always ask me, "Dave, what do ya think about this....." And I would always give her my thoughts. I could always go to her with my ideas and she would tell me what she thought too. When I would miss a few days writing my blog..as I often do..she would always call me on it...telling me, "whats the hold up...your readers are waiting!" She would light the fire I needed to get myself to thinking and it was always instantly, I would have a subject. I'm telling you, shes inspirational to me. The last conversation I had with Laura was over my usual double latte at THM on Monday morning Jan.3rd, 2011. She was telling me she hadn't gotten her column submitted to the newspaper yet. And I told her, I didn't even have one for this week...that I sent the editor an email that I wouldn't have one in. Well, that did not set well with Laura at all. She dropped what she was doing and spun around, giving me her total attention and said, "WHAT?! Dave, you cant do that! You have devoted readers that look forward to your music column every week. You have to turn in something!!" I told her, "But its too late." And she said to me, "NO its not. I haven't turned mine in yet....we have to figure something out for you!!!"
So, after a little banter, and discussion, we struck a chord and I had a topic to write about....and she could then go back to finishing her column. I left to go let Mac the editor know I DID have column to turn in but I needed about 30 minutes. It was a go, and all was good. I just wish I would have went back by THM to let her know it was done, and to thank her once again for all she had done for me. Little did I know, that would be the last time I would see her alive. Just a few hours later that afternoon, Laura was killed in a one car accident.
Now, physically, my mentor, friend, inspiration, guru, sister in spirit....is gone from this earth.....I cant go see her at THM anymore....I cant talk to her...cant hear the laugh or see the smile. But, I can feel her.....she moved through me when I sang at her funeral,I felt her arm on my shoulder, I could hear her singing with me.
I have been at THM assisting Glenn through this. I'm even learning the art of making lattes. Glenn told me He is not going to stop doing what Laura started, it was her dream to have this Bookstore/coffee shop....and he plans on keeping it going at all cost...for as long as he can. She would want that.

In spirit,Laura is still my guiding light...she will always be everything to me that she was to me in life. I will truly and deeply miss her. But I know she will be waiting to talk to me when its my turn to go.....and if they didn't have lattes in heaven before.....I bet they do now. LAURA LYNN COX St.JOHN....Dec.23,1965-Jan.3,2011.....May you make your latte art in the clouds for all to see. Love ya sis!!!

~~~~Dave~~~~