With fall upon us I keep seeing red maple leaves on the sidewalk near our Kitsilano home. This particular one was somehow stuck to our male cat Niño. He was lounging on our living room ottoman when I noticed the tiny leaf. I felt sad with the idea that summer is gone and that in some way plants, while not dying, they are getting  ready for their botanical sleep/night.

My sadness increased when I received an email from Rick Staehling’s wife, Lori informing us of his death today.

I first met American born Rick (as we all called him) in 1977 when I first started doing work for Vancouver Magazine. He was the art director. From there he went to work for many other magazines and for Douglas & McIntyre. He then was the well known Man at the Movies for CBC Radio. He was an elegant designer who I believe may have designed what for me is my most memorable Vancouver Magazine cover.

Of the photograph that I took of him, the Michigan-born Staehling told me, "You make me look like a Confederate officer in modern garb."

But I felt a bit of a smile for three reasons. Consider what was contained in Lori Staehling’s communication:

Dear Family and Friends,

I am writing with the sad news that Rick passed away today at the North Shore Hospice. He was surrounded by family members, old friends and Fanny. It was very calm and peaceful. Needless to say, we will all miss him terribly.

Last week he dictated this to me and asked me to send it out:

Dear Family and Friends,

I apologize for not personally answering so many heartfelt messages and letters. My abilities to write and articulate seem to be on the wane. So let me thank you now while I’m still coherent for your support and love.

-R

Anither reason for smiling was looking at that little fragile maple leaf and remembering a man (who had a great smile) who put some extra points on our Canadian Maple Leaf when he helped design our Canadian Flag. I wrote about that here.

And then there is this:

The morns are meeker than they were,

The nuts are getting brown;

The berry's cheek is plumper,

The rose is out of town.

The maple wears a gayer scarf,

The field a scarlet gown.

Lest I should be old-fashioned,

I'll put a trinket on.