Contrary to popular belief, I DID NOT fall into the AuSable River and get carried off by the currents downstream! Throughout the past month, I’ve had to deliver three eulogies at the funerals of three of “my kids”-- the kids battling cancer who’ve taken a past tying class, or were taking the class most recently ended. I’m not much on public speaking, but I’m told that the family found my words comforting in their hour of despair.
As for the churches filled with folks that I only knew a few of-- mostly “my kids” past and present --I hope I left them with the knowledge of how big a loss each and every single one of these kids was to us all. In their short years on this earth, they faced adversity beyond compare, and almost always did it with courage, grace under fire, and pure class. Since I undertook the project of the annual tying classes, it has been MY honor to have known all of “my kids.”
In another time and place, perhaps, it might have been less tough on my aging self. But, our own youngest, Laramie, died in 2010 after her battle with leukemia, and that wound is still too close to the surface. Besides, one of the eulogies I delivered was for the late Laramie’s best friend, “Sam.” She, too, lost her battle with the disease.
So, my apologies for my absence, but it’s been a tough month… Jerry, aka hairwing530
And exactly why the apology? I believe you are a blessing to these kids and their families, and I belive they would agree with me.
No apologies needed for the services you have performed.
I’ll take all of the prayers, blessings, etc that any of you send my way! Given my family, friends and the fact that the Good Lord has allowed me to endure my own cancerous trials-- 13+ years beyond the original prognosis --and stay on here on this Earth, I’ve probably used up more blessings than most. But, I’m always up for more, and until the day that I’m no longer drawing breath, I will do the things that must be done in the only way that I know how-- doing what’s right! I have my grandparents teachings to thank for how I was raised. Growing up on their farm was a blessing in itself…
Be well, my friends, and get out and tighten a line or two for yours truly. I’m still healing up from my “encounter” with the woodlands “booby-trap”-- 10-15 feet of rusty barbed wire strung ankle high and my immediate impact with the ground just beyond it. It won’t happen again, not after I found my heavy pair of linesman’s cutters… Jerry, aka hairwing530