Thursday, April 7, 2011

In Memoriam of Carla Madison

We meet friends in the most random of places, don't we?

We have known Paul for years, he has worked at the Pepsi Center for as long as I have been attending hockey games. Through the seasons, we developed a friendship that meant we first looked for Paul when we arrived at games, rather than looking at the team. We always enjoyed catching up, sharing stories and learning a little more about each other every game. When I found out he would take month long bicycle tours, I offered him a deal on gear from Pearl Izumi.

A few years ago, Paul's wife Carla began to campaign for a position on the city council. Paul acted as her campaign manager and showed me the flyers he was putting together for her. And that's when I learned Carla was a hot air balloonist, had fought forest fires in Yellowstone and Colorado, and was a physical therapist. And she was voted into the city council and was running unopposed this year for her first re-election bid. What a wonderful woman.

I regret now not having had the opportunity to have met Carla. She fought valiantly against her cancer for quite some time. And never once did Paul ever seem down or upset, he just seemed to take it all in stride. She was still serving on the council, he just kept on plugging away.

Upon their return from Europe, they ran into this. And last night I heard the news that Carla had passed away.

Paul, you were blessed to have shared so much of your life with Carla. And we are grateful that she let you out of the house to come see us at the hockey games. Our thoughts are with you now in your time of mourning and in your celebration of Carla's life.

Carla, I'm sorry we didn't meet. I heard so many wonderful stories.

Godspeed.

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