I found this photo looking for something else recently and have been struggling a bit since. I have been wanting to talk about my dear friend Joe and what he meant to me. Fear, doubt, loss. All competing for time in my head.

This was written on the inside of a Zen book that Joe Marshall gifted me 20 years ago when I was trying to find my spiritual space.

Often I think of WWJD – What Would Joe Do? And in his voice in my head, I hear him gently telling me the answer I often already knew, but didn’t want to face. I cry laugh nearly every day when something reminds me of him.

I have been thinking about heavy stuff lately and about how much I would love to have a conversation with him again. His insights into things were always positive, even when he was on a down day. He was the richest and most selfless person I have ever known and I miss him Every Day. There have been so very few people in my life that I trusted completely. There was never a moment that I felt he was not in my corner.

This was the inspiration for my “Chop Wood, Carry Water,” tattoo. He bought this book for me, as he understood the Spiritual Journey so well. Even though we disagreed on what the meaning of it all was, we could agree that we needed to explore it. And he was determined to help everyone find the peace he had found.

I certainly hope I find that peace someday, but his constant and unwavering support for me is still there, even though he cannot be. Thank you for always being there.

I have been, and always shall be, your friend, Joe.