Cookie in Heaven

from Geoff and Karen Havens


When we think of Bob, we remember his irreverent humor, his dry wit as emcee at the St. Thomas Aquinas dances, his luscious chioppino made for the wine club, his happy volleyball face on July 4th, his deep spirituality and his joie de vivre.
After so many years, in January 2007, we finally had the pleasure of skiing with Bob. His illness and treatments had slowed his speed down to our pace. We met after lunch at the base lodge of Stratton Mountain Resort in Vermont on a day when few skiers were venturing out because a fairly dense fog had encompassed the mountain. Regardless and with our chutzpah intact, we three took the quad to the summit. On the lift, we floated up through the clouds but could still see the trees below along each side of the slope glistening beautifully with hoar frost. From the top, we glided softly down the soundless slope, barely able to see where we were going, sometimes just over the "edge of the earth" and into the void. Still, we felt quite safe together and quietly enjoyed each other's company. It was just lovely -- a unique, wonderful and ethereal experience, spending an afternoon with Cookie in Heaven.