Faithful Tutor

I had no idea what awaited me when we bought our house in Scotts Valley. I was seven and a half months pregnant with our first child and was excited beyond reality to be buying a house in the city where I wanted to live and raise my family.

My labor started the day after my due date, and after our daughter was born, my husband returned home to notify family and friends and attend to the house. When he returned to the hospital, he informed me that a nice neighbor lady had offered to provide us dinner for our first evening home with the baby. I was very grateful for that simple gesture, since I had no idea how I was going to manage a new baby and everything else.

I didn’t know who this lady was, other than that she was the neighbor across the street, but she endeared herself to me instantly. I didn’t even know her name for the longest time, but I was sure to wave when I saw her.

My friendship with Carol Ann grew gradually. We were each busy with our many activities. I don’t remember exactly when it was that stopped identifying myself on the phone as “Elizabeth from across the street.” I was surprised when, out of the blue, she invited me to a “tea.” She said it was a lot of fun and I accepted. She was absolutely right about the tea.

It was easy to get to know her family. We saw each other come and go every day and the guys were soon sharing tools. Jamie was easy going and personable, eventhough my shy daughter would hide from him for years. She also grew up knowing Carol Ann’s son as, “Daniel My New Friend.” Not just Daniel. It was “Daniel My New Friend.” For years she called him that.


Around the time my daughter was turning two years old, Carol Ann told me about the most fabulous daycare down in Santa Cruz. I didn’t doubt her judgment, since I knew she had been a preschool and kindergarten teacher for many years. She certainly knew more about early childhood development than I did! She was absolutely right about the daycare.

Who would have thought that toilet training a grandchild could become the catalyst for creating a timeless keepsake? Carol Ann did. She showed me the book she had made from the story that her grandson told to her while he was doing his “learning.”

It was Carol Ann who offered us a week at their cabin at Hume Lake. She said it was an incredibly beautiful place. She offered countless times, before we finally accepted. We had no idea what we were missing. She was absolutely right about Hume Lake.

How is it that sitting in the street, watching Jamie bang on their race car while eating Popsicles can turn out to be so much fun? Simple. It was all Carol Ann. In a moment, she had created a Popsicle Party.
When it came time to consider a preschool for my daughter, Carol Ann was the first to recommend an outstanding preschool---the one she had taught at, of course! She told me of the wonderful curriculum they used and the great teachers they had. She was absolutely right about the preschool.

It was much later that we met Sherry and her family. Sherry’s first son is just a few months older than my daughter. Sherry’s second son and my son are a bit further apart in age, but that didn’t stop the four of them from playing together. Or trying to. We couldn’t help but like the entire family!

I was lucky enough to share meals with Carol Ann and her family.....




These tears are not tears of grief. They are tears of thanksgiving. I’m so thankful for being blessed to know Carol Ann. These are tears of being blessed to have been in the presence of someone so blessed. I only knew Carol Ann for a few years, but she has made an indelible mark on my heart forever.


Throughout my adult years, I have often been thankful for something and state it by saying, “I thank my lucky stars.” Luck had nothing to do with us buying a house on Estrella Drive. There was a star there waiting for us. And it was not in the name of the street.

Shine on, Bright Star!