I can't imagine that anyone ever heard him say anything bad about anyone - not carelessly or maliciously anyway.
We knew each other for 35 years. We worked together. Our families socialised. Our sons were of an age. Then we went our separate ways socially and I retired so we saw less of each other. One of the Sad Things that happens in life.
As a colleague I can think of none who commanded greater respect for his ability and the way he treated people. As a human being he really was one of the Good Guys: a man about whom I can find not a single thing to say that isn't complimentary. I doubt anyone can.
Last Wednesday we sat at the same table and had lunch. Today at the time we were sitting down a week previously we walked out of the church from his memorial service.
As we carried the coffin down the street (a Lewis tradition) the gale blew and the rain fell in torrents. No one could see my tears.
George, if I will miss you that much I cannot even start to imagine how much your wife Helen, and your children will miss you. You are one person I will never forget. Your family is in my thoughts.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. You can be comforted, Mr. Edwards, by the fact that your last meeting with him was a mundane lunch made wonderful and now a memorable occasion by the good talk of things present and things past between old and honorable friends.
ReplyDeleteMrs Thyme that is a lovely way of looking at it.
DeleteIf they read this tribute I am sure they will be touched by it. He must have been a wonderful man.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure whether they will see it Jenny but I hope they would be. He was a lovely man.
DeleteSo sorry for your loss of a friend. It is always hard to take in when someone dies suddenly. On the other hand - outdrawn goodbyes are worse in other ways. I agree with PTGWS above - at least your last meeting with your friend was a good one, and recent too. ♥
ReplyDeleteThank you Monica. I'm not sure there is a good way to die but I'm so glad that I'd seen George recently.
DeleteThis is a lovely, raw tribute to someone who made your life seem better than it would have done without him. A big Yorkshire hug for you Graham.
ReplyDeleteThank you Neil: very much appreciated.
DeleteBe grateful that you called him "friend"...I know you are. Be grateful you shared lunch and time with your good friend, George a little over a week ago...I know you are.
ReplyDeleteYour good mate, George may have left physically, but he will remain alive forever in your memories...and he will be cherished. He would've known how much he meant to you...and you know that.
And you will continue to have many fond, happy stories to relate....George will always be sitting at your table; he will remain by your side.
Hugs...
Thank you Lee for those comforting thoughts.
DeleteThis is a very nice tribute to your friend. Losses are always difficult.
ReplyDeleteThey are indeed, Red.
DeleteSorry to hear about the death of your friend, Graham. I'm sure his family will be comforted by your words and I hope you find comfort in your obviously wonderful memories of him.
ReplyDeleteThank you Pauline.
DeleteThat's probably the most comforting tribute his family could ever have received. People like your friend are rare; someone we should all try to emulate.
ReplyDeleteYes Cro. If more of us were like George the world would be a much better place (and given his orderly nature - he was a civil engineer after all - a much tidier one too!).
DeleteNothing really I can add to the comments that have already been made.
ReplyDeleteWhat a privilege it is to have someone like that in one's life, as a son/brother/husband/father/colleague/friend/neighbour.
Yes Meike. It was a privilege.
DeleteOh GB, I'm so sorry about your friend's passing.
ReplyDeleteIt's not often that we find truly good people as friends but George sounds like the perfect friend and you were very lucky to have someone so genuine in your life.
Your poignant description of your tears in the rain made me shed a tear.
May I express sympathy to his wife and family via this comment.
May you find comfort in knowing that you were able to enjoy a wonderful lunch together not that long ago.
This brought me to one of what I call "wonderments." If we knew that the last time we saw someone would be the last time ever, maybe we would take more time to be with them...talk a little longer.....visit for another day....spend more time together doing more "bucket list" stuff....doing it all so there would be no regrets.
May you be filled with all the wonderful memories of your friendship and may he rest in peace.
Virginia what can I say other than thank you for such a lovely comment.
DeleteWhat a moving tribute, Graham, and how terribly sad for you and of course his family. He sounds as though he was the kind of man who will be missed by a great many people.
ReplyDeleteOh he will be Frances, he will be.
DeleteI am sorry for the loss of your friend, Graham. It is always difficult when someone is taken from us quite suddenly and especially so when we care so very much for that person.
ReplyDeleteYou should take comfort in knowing that you have shown your love for your friend by your heartfelt words.
Thank you Kay.
DeleteSorry to hear your news GB. Thinking of you, xx
ReplyDelete