CELEBRATING LOU DESABLA
FROM: THOMAS WOLFE Honor to Lou Desabla, a True Friend
FROM: CAM MACQUEEN When I knew Lou best, it was a long time ago, back in the late 90s. Lou was a good friend and for a short-time, my boss, at Pathways. I fondly remember Lou as a larger than life personality. His laugh and his charm would light up a room. He was fun to be around and was quick to find adventure. I’ll never forget a sailing day-trip we once took with a group of Lou’s friends in Annapolis - it was an absolute blast. Lou definitely lived life to the fullest and demonstrated the impor - tance of cherishing every moment. He was an impressive visionary with a spirit invested in communi- ty, friends, and family. Pathways Magazine and the expos are shining examples of how he brought a variety of people, backgrounds, talents, and interests together for educational uplift, community enrichment, and good old entertainment. Lou was also an astute, and generous businessman. Pathways’ pop - ularity and longevity are testaments to his special brand of business acumen. That his vision and legacy live on through his daughter, Er- in’s, capable leadership and that of the entire Pathways team are more proof of his lasting success. I’m forever grateful to Lou for agreeing to let me try out the “Culti - vating Compassion” column idea in 1998. Now in its 26th year, Lou, I think it worked!! And I trust you know, the opportunities the column provides to get the word out on important topics - four times a year - means the world to me!! Thank you for your time on this planet, the many contributions you made, and the countless lives you touched. I know where you are now, Lou, you are entertaining the angels mak - ing them laugh and smile. And for those of us still here, who knew you and miss you, we are smiling, too, celebrating and remembering you. Happy Landings, Lou!!
To honor one of the best men I ever had the joy and pleasure of spending time with … Lou Desabla, it seems fit to start with a story about prayer. Somewhere around 1997 I had just finished a play (3-part musical) about the Quaker William Penn, concerning his sentence of death in the Tower Of London for heresy with lifelong imprisonment at the age of 23. (He got out or there would be no Pennsylvania). This writing had proven to be quite a bit more of a commitment than it originally appeared. The moment “William Penn: Convinced of What” was finished my heart sighed a sigh of relief and the inner teacher was prayerfully asked “That was certainly a project … What comes next in life”? At that exact second (really the exact instant in time) the phone rang, Lou asked “Tom, do you want to help me help the Peace move- ment for a week ”? Gobsmacked was I at the synchronicity of one door opening before the ink dried of this door closing. Lou and I did take up the Peace work, living for a week with a Gurdjieff collective in West Virginia. Thus it was that we spent enough time together to become the closest of lifelong Friends. Lou had many great attributes, one of which was his joyful encour- agement to others. In the 30 years in which I wrote the “Herbalist’s Corner” for Pathways magazine this writer invariably missed the deadlines. Lou was ever forgiving yet what most touched my heart was his oft stated (after kidding me for missing the deadline again) respect for American Herbalism and the American Herbalist’s Guild. The fact that the “Herbalist’s Corner” referenced claims was refreshing to Lou and he did not leave the praise unsaid. Lou had listened to the com- munity’s many claims about what alternatives could do and Lou found what he called “solid stuff” refreshing. Lastly in praise to Pathways and the man … Lou was ever fair and just about money. Discounts on ads for writing the article held steady for decades. As a struggling small herbal businessman in the alterna- tive culture this meant so much to me as his Friend. Lou Desabla is and shall remain one of the greatest men, in service to humanity, my days have had the joy to know!!!! Lou shall never be forgotten by this man’s heart. Tom Wolfe is co-owner/founder of Smile Herb Shop in College Park, MD.
Cam with Lou in the late 90s.
One of the first Cedar Hill Retreat Groups hosted by Lou in Virginia in the 80s.
PATHWAYS—Spring 24—83
Made with FlippingBook - PDF hosting