Wednesday, January 2, 2008

Sad & Happy New Year

Hello 2008. I don't know what's in store for this new year, but I have a feeling it will be a good one. This past holiday season seemed to be pretty hectic for some reason, but it was still a good one. Then again it was a sad one because we lost a couple good friends. Right before Thanksgiving a good friend and neighbor, Ronnie passed away on November 11th. It wasn't really unexpected since he suffered from dementia and his health went down hill after that. Poor Ronnie, he hated being in the condition he was and it was just as hard for Jean and Barb. Now he's in a better place and life goes on. We'll miss you Ronnie.

On the Friday right before Christmas our dear friend Larry died unexpectedly. What a shock! We last saw him on Wednesday at the Eagles Christmas party, alive and well. He was suppose to stop by our house the next day for a care package after he was done at Angela's. When he didn't show up at his daughters house on Thursday, she went to his house and found him on the floor. He was rushed to the hospital where they found out he was in pretty bad shape. By Friday they were going to do surgery on him, but I guess it was too late, he didn't want to hang on for that. He had a lot of health issues in the last few years, but never thought it was life threatening. Well that was Larry. He would tell you when the doctors said he was doing good,yet he would never tell you when he was feeling poorly. Shame on you Larry!

At least I know one thing for sure. The last hours of Larry's Life were happy ones. That Wednesday at the Eagles Christmas party, Mike and I won an Ohio State Buckeyes leather jacket. Mike is not a football fan and I'm not either. We didn't even discuss anything about who would wear the jacket. We both knew that we would give it to Larry. Oh, he was sooo happy! He almost started to leak*. You see, Larry was the one who use to give and do nice things for his friends all the time. Though in recent years because of his health and financial situation he hasn't been able to do those kind of things anymore.

Larry was so proud to have that jacket not because it was one of his favorite football teams but because his two good friends that knew he should have it. One of the last words to his daughter was "Look what the Boy** and Caroline give me"
Larry, I'm sure up in Heaven there with Little Mommy proudly strutting around your new coat. I believe my last words to you were and to this post are:

LUV


My dear friend Larry

October 15, 1942 - December 21, 2007


* Larry's term for sheddin a tear or two
** Larry always called Mike "the Boy"