at home in the desert

I am sad to read the news of Caroline's passing. I hadn't been in touch with her since college; even then we weren't in the same "circle," but she and I spent some serious time together in the computer lab senior year. We were part of the very small cohort who spent time in the small, "IBM compatible" room that was set apart from the large, airy, Apple-friendly room.  That year, I enjoyed her company, got to know her, and will never forget the silliness of late nights encouraging each other to get our work done. She wrote TWO theses! I was SO happy to see her at our 26th reunion in May of 2022. I'm glad we both went. We had a moment of reconnection, reminiscing and catching up on life and adventures. I'm grateful for that reunion and feel the loss of her light in this life. Sending sympathy to her wife and her mother and all who were fortunate to have been close with Caroline all her 50 years.   

Caroline lived her life with passion and love. She is missed.

Her spirit, love, artistry and laugh will be forever in my soul, heart and mind. 

I'll share the story of this photo. Caroline, David Carpenter and I had traveled to Denver for the Immersive Immersive Conference. Caroline, through a contact in her professional network, arranged for a treat on our last night in Denver... to visit the famous, and infamous, Casa Bonita theme restaurant. 

Even though the three of us were exhausted, we managed to enjoy a joyful evening together, taking in scantily clad cliff divers, hugging weird mutant monkey pig creatures in hot pants, and exploring a haunted gold mine. 

It was literally one of the most fun evenings out I have ever had, and the entire thing was architected -- and paid for -- by Caroline. 

She had that capacity -- to understand what makes life enjoyable -- and to put time an energy into the act of enjoyment. 

She seemed to have a different relationship to time. She was not subject to time. Instead, she shaped time around her, like spinning a pottery wheel. 

The time I spend with Caroline are some of the most grounded hours I have ever experienced. I remember speaking with my partner after my first meeting with Caroline, and I said: I don't exactly know who this woman is, but as soon as I started talking to her I had two parallel thoughts:

1) Where has this person been my whole life? 

and...

2) Things make sense now that had not made sense before. 

We've heard the term "reality distortion field" applied to others, and I believe this term is applicable for my experiences with Caroline. 

There was no question that we are going to accomplish whatever improbable thing we contemplated. There was no "If..." only "When."

The year I spent with Caroline Prugh was one of the best of my creative life. I miss her desperately, and have conjured an instance of her voice in my head that brings some solice, but also sadness. It's both and I'm really struggling with that. 

Caroline is one of the most joyful, soulful, insightful, kind, creative, empathetic, wise and talented people I will ever know.  

Paige, I am sending you so much love. I am sorry for your loss. 

I will close with this quote from Caroline, that I am recognizing will shape everything I ever do from now on:

"Collaboration, support and love are the true tools of an artist"

 --Caroline Prugh

Sending much love to the Paige and the Prugh family.  Love from Chris and Tim

I have many memories of Caroline's warmth, humor and kindness from years ago, and can only imagine how she has affected those around her in the intervening years. It's a true regret for me that I never had the chance to reconnect with her in person. My deepest condolences for the loss of her. I will be keeping all of Caroline's loved ones close in my heart in the difficult days to come. 

Caroline was a beautiful soul who was full of warmth. Every time I saw her she had a smile and a kind word. My heart goes out to you.