A couple of weeks ago, my friends and I noticed some construction work going on at Messiah Lutheran Church. We watched as the project progressed and took shape. Then last week, I happened to chat with a man parked nearby. "You like it?" he asked. I replied that I did, and asked him for more details.
His name is Dave Lopez. This is going to be a garden and a children's playground. He donated the entire project to the church in memory of his wife Elaine Lopez, who passed away about six months ago. The finished project will be dedicated this Sunday.
Elaine Lopez sounds like a very special person. (You can read about her in this article from the Downey Patriot.) Even though I never met her, I will think of her, and her husband's gift, whenever I pass by.