I have started this post about five times and then sadly erased it and walked away...simply because I do not know what to say. I was thinking only positive thoughts as we entered 2013. We had our share of negativity in 2012 so this year was going to be great.
We lost a friend yesterday....a great friend. Walter was our lake buddy. He and Jimmy were the best of friends...from the day we bought our lake home on wheels (our single wide trailer that literally stunk) we knew that we found gold in our next door neighbors. Walter and Doris were senior citizens...recently retired at 65, and us at a young 50 years of age, we bonded over lawnmowers and cold beer.
We looked forward to going to the lake just so we could visit with them. Jimmy never missed a weekend. He and Walter shared lawn mowing duties...one mowed and the other trimmed. They managed two lots together with never a problem. They were always in sync.
Six years ago when we moved to a lake house with a foundation it was a bit of a sad time. Half the fun of being at the lake was our neighbors. We continued our get togethers and visited over breakfast and Mexican food. A trip to Cedar Creek without seeing Walter and Doris just did not seem right.
Walter and Doris never had kids....we were their kids, and our kids were like their grandkids. Never mind that there was really only 15 years difference in our ages, they were our adopted parents!
Walter went to the lake for the last time yesterday. He drove from his home in Arlington to meet a man about a water leak. He never met with the man. He died in his truck from a massive heart attack...one day after his 80th birthday. Perfectly healthy at breakfast and gone by early afternoon.
Walter went to the lake for the last time yesterday. He drove from his home in Arlington to meet a man about a water leak. He never met with the man. He died in his truck from a massive heart attack...one day after his 80th birthday. Perfectly healthy at breakfast and gone by early afternoon.
As I think about all of this I guess I am just really sad for us. How can you be sad for Walter? He had 80 wonderful years. He is gone. No lengthy illness, no suffering, no life support for endless days...he is just gone. And he left this world in one of his favorite places...his house at the lake. A perfect scenario. We should all be so lucky.
We will miss you Walter....more than I have words for. You were nothing but a genuine gentleman.
Goodbye good friend.
No comments:
Post a Comment