Quote:
Originally Posted by Boozinbloozin
On a different note all together...last night I got a call about an old friend of mine passing away last weekend. His funeral is today and im not gonna be able to make it cause...well im in a tight spot right now and its hundreds of miles away. I do want to say that this man was close to being if not The Best Person ive ever had the honor of knowing. I feel I owe it to him to speak my peace even if it is to complete strangers who never knew him.
As a young punk kid in his late teens I found myself moving far away from home on a whim. The people were different and I immediatley kind of went crazy. So glad to finally be out on my own and away from my folks. One evening as me and another guy were headed back to the beer store..lol...we managed to somehow find the ditch before we got there. He bolted and I stayed. Around 7 or so that morning I hear a tap on the window and this man was standing there smiling. Seeing my Texas tags he proceeds to call me Tex without knowing my name or asking for it. Willingly just offereing help after he asks.."rough night Tex?" We exchange hello's and all that good stuff and try to pull my truck out. His 4 wheel drive wasnt enough truck to do the job so he leaves..and returns with his backhoe. After some time of rearranging the chains and pulling and tugging we manage to get it out. I offer the man all the money i had left from the night before...which was about 40 bucks. He would not hear of taking my money. Instead he told me to help out the next person I saw in need of the same kind of helping hand. Then he offered me a beer as he was already drinking himself.lol. He spotted my guitar and asked if I played. When I told him I like to think I try too..he invited me down to his house. Needless to say we became very good friends after that and his family kind of became my home away from home. I had never felt as welcomed and comfortable around anyone even from my home state as him and his family made me feel. He helped me many more times throughout my stay there and im always in debt to him.
The years eventually brought me back home but I would often go and visit him from time to time when I had the chance. He always loved to hear me play and sing and thats how I remember him. Funny he liked to wear cowboy boots and hats as I did not... He had cirrhosis of the liver the last two years and finally lost the battle last weekend. If I had to gues I would say he was in his mid 70's by now. I never knew he had the condition as ive been married..having kids..getting divorced. Im kind of glad in a way..I wouldnt want to have seen him sick....ill always remember the man behind the half drunk smile. Kind hearted and good spirited..always able to make me laugh and always willing to do whatever it took to help out anyone in need. This was TRULY one of the best men ive ever met. May he R.I.P. today when they put him to rest.
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my condolences
he does sound like a truly wonderful man to have met and to have the pleasure of knowing.