Thanks, Florie. It's good to be seen! It took me a while to figure out how to log in this morning, but it was worth it, and I'll be around more. With all the crazy going around, I'm finding myself badly in need of something like TCKT. I've missed everybody.
Yes, everyone has grown up so much... oldest graduates a week from tonight - still hasn't sunk in yet!
We've missed you too Lyana! I've really enjoyed keeping up with you on FB, but of course, there are many things a "prudent" person doesn't say on FB without opening up the proverbial can of worms. (Is the can of worms actually proverbial? Or am I off the rails again?). :))
Glad you've been able to see a bit. I confess to lurking on peoples' pages much more than I post, so I keep tabs on everybody as I can. :-) I have a love/hate relationship with FB... We've got the reality of a ridiculously wide range of relationships represented in our friends (and a certain level of international public profile in what we do), so I avoid posting (or even commenting on) anything that could be the least bit controversial. Too many possibilities of being misunderstood or alienating people.
FB is a fantastic way to keep up with family that is scattered all over, but even posting my daughter's grad/prom pictures was a challenge; just in our family we've got the range of "You let her go to prom? How could you - it's a den of iniquity!" to "Phew - looks like their kid isn't going to be a total insulated Christian fruitcake." Oy! Can of worms indeed - and good luck getting those suckers put back! :-D
This is such a wonderful and diverse and beautiful tribute to Aridog. He would be amazed that you took the time to remember him in this loving way and he would absolutely approve of each of the songs you chose to remember him by. I for one cannot help but bawl my eyes out just listening but oh my how happy it makes us feel that he was loved so much and appreciated so much by you. Thank you is not enough to express my appreciation but know you will always be in my heart and prayers for what you did to honor Richard.
I am so sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing him so generously with us over the years. His love for you was evident in everything he said about his family. You will be in our prayers for rest, comfort and peace as you grieve and move into this new reality.
lady red, you are wonderful to post these remembrances.
I haven't posted because I have nothing of comfort to say. I kept a vigil, quite spontaneously, and was just not ready for this.
Almost exactly twenty years after I lose my mother, and ten years after I lose my father, we lose Ari. Orphaned, again.
It's crazy but I feel a sense of panic and dread, like I don't know exactly how I'm going to cope. He was my last, best link to the "wisdom of the elders" and I was just not prepared for that. Apparently.
This will take a while to process, but it will process...
...I am enormously grateful to know everyone here; that you all even have some idea what the hell I'm talking about makes the world a less lonely place. Because nobody else I know would know would understand.
"It's crazy but I feel a sense of panic and dread, like I don't know exactly how I'm going to cope. He was my last, best link to the "wisdom of the elders" and I was just not prepared for that."
Lewy, florrie and I were talking yesterday, knowing you must be grieving terribly, and wishing we were there to hug you.
We do understand. So much.
A page has been turned. We weren't ready for it. But here we are. He would want us to carry on, to celebrate life. He will always be in our hearts, and we will always hear his wise words when we're pondering this or that.
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts and sentiments and for sharing the photo in his favorite hat in his favorite place of Montano. God he loved those mountains. The last couple years I tried so hard to encourage him to go and see them but he was afraid that he would not be able to breath at the high altitude. Turns out, his dear friend in Montana, Norm, shared with me that the last visit he did not venture as far out because of the breathing difficulty. Fr. Zbigniew, his best friend here, even offered to drive him out to Montana. I'm not sure they would have survived that long of a trip in a van but it's the thought that counts. He wasn't himself in the months leading up to this. You all probably noticed he lapsed off in commenting. We truly believe the chemo, which oddly did successfully defeat his lymphoma, also affected his attitude and spirit. He knew it too. I'm sure he missed you all very much. We are all so grateful that he had all of you to debate, converse, advise, and learn from. Thank you and God bless you.
I'm so glad you wrote about that, Judi. I wondered about him not going to Montana (and on other adventures). Dick did share that he had COPD but never remarked how it affected him so I guess I assumed the effect was negligible. He never complained about the cancer and/or treatment either, IIRC, except to say damn it all!!
I'm glad I got to "know" you a little bit albeit under such terrible circumstances. I'll never forget our dear "comrade" - Aridog.
He was so passionate about the mountains! I really love the photo of him in that hat...he looks so happy! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with us Judi. You and Kim are welcome here with open arms, anytime.
As florrie said, it's been wonderful getting to know you. Aridog will be always remembered and cherished, with a smile, a laugh, and a tear.
I hope you all like my music selection. "Desperadoes" was playing on my truck radio as I drove to work. It about did me in.
ReplyDeleteI think Aridog would have liked these choices, lady red. Hope you don't mind that I added one as well.
ReplyDeleteOh florrie, the Spillane ballad is wonderful and perfect! Thank you so much!
DeleteOh... *sniff* :-( I can't get past Clapton's "Tears in Heaven." Makes me cry every time.
ReplyDeleteGood to see your nick, Lyana...your girls must be young ladies by now.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Florie. It's good to be seen! It took me a while to figure out how to log in this morning, but it was worth it, and I'll be around more. With all the crazy going around, I'm finding myself badly in need of something like TCKT. I've missed everybody.
ReplyDeleteYes, everyone has grown up so much... oldest graduates a week from tonight - still hasn't sunk in yet!
We've missed you too Lyana! I've really enjoyed keeping up with you on FB, but of course, there are many things a "prudent" person doesn't say on FB without opening up the proverbial can of worms. (Is the can of worms actually proverbial? Or am I off the rails again?). :))
DeleteGlad you've been able to see a bit. I confess to lurking on peoples' pages much more than I post, so I keep tabs on everybody as I can. :-) I have a love/hate relationship with FB... We've got the reality of a ridiculously wide range of relationships represented in our friends (and a certain level of international public profile in what we do), so I avoid posting (or even commenting on) anything that could be the least bit controversial. Too many possibilities of being misunderstood or alienating people.
DeleteFB is a fantastic way to keep up with family that is scattered all over, but even posting my daughter's grad/prom pictures was a challenge; just in our family we've got the range of "You let her go to prom? How could you - it's a den of iniquity!" to "Phew - looks like their kid isn't going to be a total insulated Christian fruitcake." Oy! Can of worms indeed - and good luck getting those suckers put back! :-D
This is such a wonderful and diverse and beautiful tribute to Aridog. He would be amazed that you took the time to remember him in this loving way and he would absolutely approve of each of the songs you chose to remember him by. I for one cannot help but bawl my eyes out just listening but oh my how happy it makes us feel that he was loved so much and appreciated so much by you. Thank you is not enough to express my appreciation but know you will always be in my heart and prayers for what you did to honor Richard.
ReplyDeleteWe are all heartbroken, and so very sorry for your loss. He impacted so many lives, and gave of himself so freely. We all adored him.
DeleteThank you so much for your words Judi. You and Kim will be in my prayers, and always in my heart. He loved you both so much!
I am so sorry for your loss! Thank you for sharing him so generously with us over the years. His love for you was evident in everything he said about his family. You will be in our prayers for rest, comfort and peace as you grieve and move into this new reality.
ReplyDeleteGod Bless and keep you, Judi and Kim.
ReplyDeletelady red, you are wonderful to post these remembrances.
ReplyDeleteI haven't posted because I have nothing of comfort to say. I kept a vigil, quite spontaneously, and was just not ready for this.
Almost exactly twenty years after I lose my mother, and ten years after I lose my father, we lose Ari. Orphaned, again.
It's crazy but I feel a sense of panic and dread, like I don't know exactly how I'm going to cope. He was my last, best link to the "wisdom of the elders" and I was just not prepared for that. Apparently.
This will take a while to process, but it will process...
...I am enormously grateful to know everyone here; that you all even have some idea what the hell I'm talking about makes the world a less lonely place. Because nobody else I know would know would understand.
Yes, thank you, lady red for posting the threads.
Delete"It's crazy but I feel a sense of panic and dread, like I don't know exactly how I'm going to cope. He was my last, best link to the "wisdom of the elders" and I was just not prepared for that."
This is it. In a nutshell.
Lewy, florrie and I were talking yesterday, knowing you must be grieving terribly, and wishing we were there to hug you.
DeleteWe do understand. So much.
A page has been turned. We weren't ready for it. But here we are. He would want us to carry on, to celebrate life. He will always be in our hearts, and we will always hear his wise words when we're pondering this or that.
God, how he'll be missed.
Thank you so much for the kind thoughts and sentiments and for sharing the photo in his favorite hat in his favorite place of Montano. God he loved those mountains. The last couple years I tried so hard to encourage him to go and see them but he was afraid that he would not be able to breath at the high altitude. Turns out, his dear friend in Montana, Norm, shared with me that the last visit he did not venture as far out because of the breathing difficulty. Fr. Zbigniew, his best friend here, even offered to drive him out to Montana. I'm not sure they would have survived that long of a trip in a van but it's the thought that counts. He wasn't himself in the months leading up to this. You all probably noticed he lapsed off in commenting. We truly believe the chemo, which oddly did successfully defeat his lymphoma, also affected his attitude and spirit. He knew it too. I'm sure he missed you all very much. We are all so grateful that he had all of you to debate, converse, advise, and learn from. Thank you and God bless you.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you wrote about that, Judi. I wondered about him not going to Montana (and on other adventures). Dick did share that he had COPD but never remarked how it affected him so I guess I assumed the effect was negligible. He never complained about the cancer and/or treatment either, IIRC, except to say damn it all!!
ReplyDeleteI'm glad I got to "know" you a little bit albeit under such terrible circumstances. I'll never forget our dear "comrade" - Aridog.
He was so passionate about the mountains! I really love the photo of him in that hat...he looks so happy! Thank you so much for stopping by and sharing with us Judi. You and Kim are welcome here with open arms, anytime.
ReplyDeleteAs florrie said, it's been wonderful getting to know you. Aridog will be always remembered and cherished, with a smile, a laugh, and a tear.