Page 10
Street Roots • Aug. 17-23, 2018
Vendors
IN MEMORIAM
Andy Howard
‘His greatest
super power was
his optimism’
character, his soul?
There are no words to describe how my dad
made people feel. He was an angel on this
E arth who did God’s work in miraculous ways.
My dad was funny. He had th e ability to
make anyone laugh at any time, including
himself. A lot of the time he was the biggest
fan of his own jokes.
My dad Was intelligent He was fascinated by
each person, and I was repeatedly impressed
with the details he knew. This showed me that
people trusted him.
My dad was a friend to anybody and
everybody. He exuded an energy that drew
people in.
I rem ember walking the streets with him,
and as I just mentioned, he was always so
proud and excited for his friends and me to
meet. He’d tell me about them as we’d
approach them, and I not only learned my dad
was a good listener, but meeting these people
taught me that they weren’t just “bums” or
“transients.” They are ordinary human beings
just like all of us. And just like us, our stories
are all different. And just like you, me and my
dad, we all end up in different places.
It became clear to me in these moments that
his friends, felt a sense of comfort, love and
acceptance around my dad. They found a true
weren’t OK and that they were having trouble.
So, of course, he became a friend to them. He
got them to open up, he listened, he shared his
heart and wisdom, and he saved them. Tell me
that’s not powerful.
He may not have been able to buy me winter
coats or school supplies, which I was provided
with in other ways, but I’m so grateful I’ve
never lived a day without knowing my dad loved
me, that he was proud of me, and that he felt
the most blessed tó call me his daughter. Not
everyone gets to have th a t Not everyone gets
to call their dad their best friend and genuinely
mean it.
My most favorite days were days spent
downtown with my dad. Spending the day in
the life of my dad, walking all the streets of
downtown, eating meals at the Mission, Night
Watch and churches with his friends, exploring
his favorite spots to relax and hang, out, where
human anatomy and physiology, Bigfoot, fighter
friend in him. It doesn’t surprise me because
he sold his papers and even where he slept.
jet planes, gadgets - anything SGience-related,
really. He loved to learn new things and to
learn them well. Then he loved to teach me.
He told me, “Knowledge is power” and
“Ignorance is not bljss.”
I believe his greatest super power was his
optimism. My dad was a wise man. He taught
me that there is good in every situation, you
just have to be willing to see it. My dad had
gone through some horrific experiences, but
not once did he lose his smile and his ability to
see the silver lining or his faith in God.
My dad was understanding and
compassionate. He had such a tender h e a rt
He’d tell me not to judge people because I
don’t know their story. My dad took the time to
get to know people, to really hear them. I
learned this through my days spent downtown
with him. He loved introducing me to his
friends. He always gave me a back story to
that’s what my dad embodied - love, kindness,
compassion, understanding, adventure and
humor. A true extension of God.
To be honest, when my dad first became
homeless, I spent so much time and energy
feeling confused, frustrated and deeply
struggling to understand my dad’s lifestyle.
Why was he here? How could this be his path?
It was in the moments of me meeting his
friends, his street family, and hearing their
thoughts, feelings and how they viewed my dad
that it became undeniably clear, time and time
again, he was indeed on the right path. He was
undoubtedly living out his purpose. He was
right where God wanted him ... duh. He was
touching lives, changing lives and saving lives.
Literally. My dad talked two people out of
committing suicide. He didn’t know either of
these people. They just happened to cross
paths with my dad and he could tell they
These were the most humbling, mind
opening and fulfilling days. I loved when he let
his walls down and fully welcomed me into his
world. It may not seem like it from the outside,
but it was such a beautiful place to be.
I feel so privileged to call Andy my dad. For
23 years, I got to know him. I got to know his
heart, his mind, his soul. I got to love him and
to be loved by him. That is the greatest gift of
my lifetime. I can only hope to become close to
the human being that he was. I can only hope
to touch as many lives as he did. Although I
desperately wish I had more time with him, I
am so dang lucky for all the years I did get. That
is the silver lining my dad has taught me to see.
Dad,-you are the most influential person in
my life. I’ve learned the most valuable lessons
from you that have helped shape me into the
young woman I am today. You aré my hero. I
love you.
A n d y ’s daughter shares
a n excerpt o f the eulagy
she wrote fo r her fa th er
BY KATELYNN HOWARD
C O N T R IB U T IN G C O L U M N IS T
T
T o w do I write something that captures
I I the essence of my dad? How do I find
JL -L words to describe his depth, his
David Testawich
Farewell, my friend
BY ART GARCIA
STREET R O O T S V E N D O R
T h a d known Dave over 15 years, and it
I truly saddens me knowing he is no
JL longer with us.
I miss being able to take him coffee and
visit at Trader Joe’s. I never stayed long, but
I always felt better after talking with him.
Dave was one of those rare people that just
made you happy to be around.
If you ever bought a Street Roots from
him, you would see the little message he
wrote on the com er of the front page. It
wasn’t so much what it said as it showed he
took that moment to brighten someone
else’s day just a little. That was Dave, the
true definition of the Golden Rule.
Thanks, Dave, for the opportunity to
know and call you my friend. Rest in peace.