Posted by Donna Petruzzi on April 25, 2001 at 01:38:42 from 207.175.211.89 :
When the heart grieves over what it has lost, the spirit rejoices over what it has left. ~ Sufi Epigram ~ I don’t quite know how to put into words the tapestry that Ed Powell wove into my life, but it was slowly, over time, and unforgettable... I innocently moved into 124 Jewett and lived on the third floor for 6 years- I moved out August of ’99 after I got engaged (I must include that the Summer’s on the third floor/attic area were crucifyingly HOT!!). I did not know Ed Powell the Doctor, or UB Professor. I knew Ed as a very interesting person who lived a life I could only imagine, as our circumstances in life completely differed. I was always searching to uncover the Ed Powell I had only heard about. People would say “you live with Ed Powell?!!” and their eyes would light up and they would instantly digress and tell me wild stories about Ed that only left me looking at them perplexed! It was like I lived with a local Paul Bunyon and didn’t even know it (minus the Blue Ox- substitute a part playful, sometimes loving, sometimes semi-evil dog, Omega)! I think that I know more Ed Powell stories than I experienced them and was unaware of some other things while I lived there. After 4 years of 124 residency, one day I saw a flyer on the street that was pro-pot propaganda, and it had our return address on it!! I didn’t even know he had a pro-pot group going and I LIVED there! Ed never ceased to amaze me; and that says a lot for someone who is very close to having ADD! I knew Ed as the insomniac who stayed in his library on the computer day after day. I think if it wasn’t for printer or computer problems, Ed might not have ever left that room- I’m kidding of course, but not about his amazing discipline I witnessed! My point is that Ed was just the nicest, humblest person- so patient and compassionate (aren’t all diary keepers?! Ed would agree!). With all of his knowledge and studies, Ed treated everyone so lovingly, and openly accepted everything about you. It was like his humility just poured out of him. I really got to know his mind and personality.. one who taught me so much about just living! I guess we all have Ed and 124 Jewett stories. Whether you lived them or will hear about them as fables. But one thing is certain. Ed has touched all of our lives, for whatever reason, we’ve always had this hero in our corner of the world. He was such a valuable resource, and I was so grateful for the time I was able to spend with him. I will always remember Ed on his bike riding around, walking in the Park with Omega, diving in the pool early in the morning, picking up bats to throw outside as I watched in disbelief, being on his computer, conversations as I passed through the kitchen, all night conversations with my now husband about history and his involvement with Civil War reenacting- and everything else that did not hold my ADD attention J.. In keeping with the Sufi epigram, what has Ed left behind for me? Many, many smiles, many cherished memories for the rest of my life. All the times he extended the hand of friendship and how many times he was just plain “cool with it”!! So many stories to tell! Who else could let a stranger live in their house?! Ed Powell could, and did. As Jim Powell put it, my husband and I were the last to live up there and he dubbed us the Last of the Mohicans. I know there were many who lived with Ed before us, but we were the last outside of the family that lived there. Ed (and Karen and the girls, the dogs and cats, and the rest!) became my family… the woven tapestry, all a very big part of my life... Peace and love to you all- The Angel and the Soldier in the Attic… ==================
Note from Jim -- this was one of the first messages received... I'm moving them over to the web board to try and streamline things a bit.