Saying goodbye to a kind sole

They say that if you love something, you should set it free. And so it is time. After years of care, nurturing and protection, the time has come for a parting of the ways.

We first met in Bologna, Italy, and it was love at first sight. We were a perfect fit for one another – I was the heart and you were the sole. What support I received through the toughest part of life’s journey! Even though you never did like the water, still you’d wrap yourself around me to give me comfort when the rain fell.

You saw me though the roughest moments, you helped me keep cool when things heated up, and you even stood with me when I got married.

You’ve held it together all this time, but time is unkind to us all, and after many years and many miles, it is time to put you to a well-deserved rest. What better place than at the end of our latest, epic journey in Porto?

Thank you for the memories, boots, you will be missed. (Eulogy penned by Michael; Angela was too emotional.)