The Healing Power of the Beach & the Delta

Capt. Compton at the helm of Base Ops, Summer 2003

July 2006 we were on Base Ops in the California Delta for what would be Cecil's last time on the houseboat. Cecil loved everyday on the houseboat. He would say everyday, 'It does not get any better than this.' He was always so right about knowing we were very blessed and feeling gratitude for our blessings everyday.

This summer I am also blessed to have been able to spend five weeks in an apartment in Carlsbad, California only two houses from the beach. Cecil would also have loved it here. It is a wonderful place to heal and read and walk......and really do anything one wants to do. I think it has been good for me to be able to be outside in the sun and on the beach everyday, rather than being in the house in Phoenix, as I continue to walk through my grief journey. I know I am 'doing better' because I am at the beach now.

I do believe 'I am doing remarkably well,' as I tell my family and friends when they ask how I am doing. It is true I am doing remarkably well but it is also true, at times, I am so sad with an ache in my heart from missing Cecil. Both are true.

Letter from Cecil's dear sister, Mary Annie

Mary Annie and Cecil, Florence, Italy, 2004

The following are the words Cecil’s sister, Mary Annie, wrote about him.

I was Cecil's sister. What does one say about the best brother a sister ever had...He made me feel so special...What wonderful times we had cooking and planning meals for our family and friends. We would call each other and plan meals or get recipes from one another. I got great ideas for meals and new recipes, and he got old recipes from me from our childhood.

One of the things I will miss the most is hearing him say "Hi sweet woman" and I love you. We enjoyed a very comfortable relationship, talking about anything and everything, playing many card games, working in the yard, doing errands together and working crossword puzzles.

I no longer have my brother to remember childhood stories together, talk about great times we had growing up, and remember our parents....I wish for each woman to have a brother like my Cecil.

Good-bye my wonderful, caring, funny and most of all, my loving brother.
I miss you everyday!!!!!!
Love always and forever...

Mary Annie