Remembrance

High Desert Waltz

Lifetime friend and Skunk Cabbage bandmate picks a sweet mandolin tune to send David on his way. This is the last music David listened to while he was with us, and it made him smile.

https://youtu.be/U0xMwjK3fzM

I met David when I went to visit Lisa at her new house in Happy Valley, Maui. David lived in the house next door that shared the same yard. His was filled with musical instruments and art, and he was friendly and inviting. When I fell in love with a panda piece he had just finished, he gave it to me. I instantly knew why he and Lisa were going to be together for a long time.

I remember a time when we were in an art gallery in Lahaina and I wanted to buy a painting. He looked at me and said “that’s not art” and we both laughed. That is when I knew David would be the one to teach me how to look at art differently, with my imagination and heart.

Over the years, I watched David grow as an artist. Last month when I was in Boise, I saw a piece of art in their home that I hadn’t seen before. David called it "Women in a hat". It was breathtaking and I asked him if I could buy it. He said it was one of his favorite pieces, and he was happy I loved it. People who know me know that I have a love for art and music, but the extent of my skills include stick figures and basic chords on the piano. I admired David's  approach to life and his ability to share it through his art. He was a gift to this world and his last gift to me will hang with grace and presence in my home forever.

From the panda to "Women in a hat" - Thank you, David for sharing your art with me. 

~ Michelle Morgan

David and I loved to discuss the philosophy of reading and myths and books and I wrote this in the back of my book about gods and goddesses I thought he would love. 

“He spoke with a softness that could calm even the strongest seas. He spoke with a kindness that could soothe a raging storm. He was the calm and kindness that anchored souls to the moment.”

David entranced his family and friends by encouraging us to sit and talk poetry, art, film, philosophy, and life. He painted the world in its abstract beauty and treated nature like an old friend. Animals loved his gentle passion, and he never met an animal that didn't immediately love him. 

When I remember David, I will remember a soul not entirely of this world. I believe in earth school, and I think David knew more about love and life than most of us "first timers" and he was placed on this earth to teach us the art of embracing each day wholeheartedly. To wake up every morning with a desire to live each day to the fullest. 

We owe him a debt that can only be repaid in further kindness for each other and those we meet along our journey. He taught us how to love despite pain, and even though his pain is over and we now have to live without him, his spirit will follow us through every book we read, every painting we see, every story we hear, and every animal we meet. David was a force of life, and although we do not have him here with us, he continues to enrich our lives every second with his memory. 

I have much to learn on this earth, as do many of the other people who loved David, but I want to send this message with him as he moves  peacefully into the afterlife. Until we see each other again, thank you David for teaching me that life is much less complicated than we think. It's about kindness, love, and family. 

With love, Taylor  ~ David's Niece and Friend 

I have had a few days to think about David. He prepared us well. I knew this death was coming but it is still difficult to believe. He is SO HERE. Somehow it seemed he could outdo anything simply by rising above it. Our relationship was very compartmentalized and almost completely confined to lunches in Santa Fe when we visited our grandchildren there. We met David when he was working at The Compound and we started simply with some nice chatter with our server. But one day while we showed a friend a picture of the little skunk we had raised, David noticed and chimed in. Thus began a cherished friendship. As I’ve no pictures of David I am sending one of the skunk, which Lisa has seen often.

When David started making ties, which we had admired at the restaurant, every man on my Christmas list got one that year. My favorite, of course, was David’s own, his ‘stealth’ tie, that was the same color and material as his shirt. I had hoped to get to know David the musician and was just starting to get to know David the artist. We met in bad times that we could feel becoming worse. Most of the time we knew him he was dealing with his cancer in ways I could only marvel at. His way seeing all of it was so different from mine and helped to drag me out of cosmic despair. With the last election, he was a godsend to me.

Early on, when we could get away at night we were able to go out with Lisa too. Together they glowed. It was sheer pleasure to see two people basking in each others light and warmth. We came to love them both.  We will miss you terribly David but I can still hear your chuckle in my ears. Lisa- we send love and both mourn and celebrate your loss. We hope to see you in Santa Fe, when and if we can travel. It is hard to press ‘send’. It feels so final. I’ve waited two days. And then I remind myself that I have over six more weeks to maybe re-encounter you, David, however evanescently and I smile hopefully.

~ Leslie Sauer, Brookhollow Farm, New Jersey

I didn't have a lot of opportunity to spend time with my brother -in-law, mainly because my sister and David lived in Hawaii. and New Mexico while Kathy and I were living in Idaho. Only recently was I able to spend time with David and Lisa because they moved to Idaho in 2019. We enjoyed happy hours,downtown, brunch and family dinners when we could. 

I remember in 2001(I think) is when we visited Lisa and David in Hawaii. I recall that we had dinner at the Waterfront restaurant. It was the last and only time I ate oysters. David loved them and insisted we try them. It was so special because it was the first time in probably 20 years that Mom, Dad, Lisa, Michelle and I had dinner without kids, etc. David could see how important family was to us and made the dinner very special. 

I always felt when I did spend time with David and Lisa, David treated me like a brother. I believe that he felt that Lisa's family was his family and I was indeed his brother. He had a great sense of humor, an amazing artistic vision,  and was a voracious reader. I wondered if he had an eidetic memory because he could remember so much of what he read. 

Lastly, I know that he loved my sister very much and he will be greatly missed by all of us. I'm a better person getting to spend time with him the last 8 months. David, my brother, we will miss you.

~ David Robertson

While I did not get to spend a lot of time with David, it was impossible not to be struck by his phenomenal  grace and good nature. 

He had a beautiful transparency about him- and profound depth, too, as evidenced by his stunning artwork, a piece of which I am so very proud to own.

The world would be a much better place if more of us were like David...on this 'plane' we will miss him greatly. Have a wonderful journey, David. We love you.

~ Robin Zollinger

(excerpt from a letter sent to David by dear friends on Maui shortly before he passed)

“… I have a quote by Elizabeth Foley taped to my monitor and it reads like this:  "The most beautiful discovery true friends make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."  Each time I sit here, I make a mental note of all our friends that have come into our lives to enrich our short existence on this earth.  You are on that list of special people we are happy to call friend.We thank you for your friendship, all the special service and attention as our favorite waiter, the beautiful lei you made for me each time you knew I was coming into the restaurant.  Thank you and Lisa for the warm reception you bestowed upon us during our last motorcycle trip back to Arizona and sharing that beautiful home with us.  That was an experience we'll never forget.  

Before I sign off, I would like to share another quote and this one is by Tommy Dorcey.  "Precious Lord take my hand, lead me on, let me stand, I am tired, I am weak, I am worn, through the storm, through the night, lead me on to the light, take my hand precious Lord, lead me home."

Dear friend, we are sad at the thought we will not have the opportunity to share another evening with a fine glass of wine and a bit of lively conversation,  but we rejoice that our paths crossed.  Thank you for reaching out and giving us this opportunity to tell you how much your friendship and your love has meant to us as well.Aloha nui loa,  Godspeed, David!  We love you back…”

~ Diane and Jacky Dugied, Makawao

I will always remember David as being very nice and kind. He was shy but sweet and kind. It was great having you both living here at The Reserve during the last 2 years. I will keep you and your family in my prayers. May God Bless You always. ~ Rosa Godinez

 I will remember him always and, with love and smiles.  Every time I see an orchid, I think of him. ~ Kaye James

David was my son-in-law.  He was a very special person and loved as attested by all who knew him. David and I always had a special bond.  David was a true artist in every sense.  He loved the land, sky, ocean, trees, animals and Lisa.  His environment was very important to him.  His concern for the environment led him to a 2,000 sf “EarthShip” on the high desert plains near Taos, NM.   This home was off the grid with a solar powered electrical system and a water collection and purification system.  We spent many enjoyable hours learning, expanding, and maintaining the systems and home. Working with David was one of the highlights of my life.  He was always thoughtful, kind and easy going, even when we occasionally had different ideas.  Besides working together, there were many other wonderful memories, such as watching the sunset reflected on the mountains to the east and sitting under the blanket of stars, so light they lit up the night. These memories have been visited many times and will continually be remembered by all fortunate enough to  have been involved in the “EARTH SHIP” Adventure.

Thank you, Maegan for the great Carpenter gallery photos you shared below!

My son-in law-David was, to me, the quintessential Renaissance Man.  He was always loving, kind and committed to living life joyfully on his own terms.  He was an amazing artist, musician and philosopher.  He did, however, have a lesser known talent.  He was a dancer -- tap, specifically. While in Hawaii, he joined a performing group of senior ladies and tapped his way into their hearts.  They adored him. I did, too.

~ Barbara Robertson

David Alan Carpenter, 1 September 1948 to 21 April 2020.