Posted on 11/04/2015 7:26:30 PM PST by ButThreeLeftsDo
We're taking Larry deer hunting this weekend. After 35 years in the woods with Larry, sadly, this will be our last together.
After 40 years at the same job, he finally had enough and retired this past spring. He's a mere 62 years old.
He left his job on a Friday and started his new job the next Monday. Working at a local golf course. Cutting grass, doing maintenance, free lunch everyday and free golf on Mondays. He was in heaven.
About three months ago, his eyesight was suddenly failing him. The eye doctor said that there was something affecting his optic nerve and that he should quickly see a neurologist.
Four days later he was having brain surgery to remove as much of a brain tumor as they could. It was small, but growing quickly. They got some, but they couldn't all of it. Stage 4 myoblastoma. He's not going to make it.
And, of course, that sort of surgery has its drawbacks. His sight is pretty good now, but he is now paralyzed on his left side. He's left handed.
They didn't give him any assurances of long life with radiation and chemo, so he decided that rather than spend 3 days a week in a medical facility, he was going to stay in his home, with his family, instead.
That's Larry.
The crew took a vote and it was 9-0 in favor of bringing Larry for one last hunt with all of his friends. He's not actually going to hunt with us (he's in a wheelchair, fer cryin' out loud)but he will be there when we have the Friday night meal and all of the stories that will be told for the umpteenth time.
When he was told that he was, indeed, going to be a part of deer hunt 2015, he was more emotional than I have ever seen him. He's never been an emotional guy. That would be me.
So, he'll stay at the house with another friend of ours that doesn't hunt, a volunteer, and wait for a call from the woods letting him know that we filled his tag.
At first, he was against the whole idea, but now he can't wait to get on the road Friday.
This is going to be a special weekend. For a lot people. for a lot of reasons.
I visited him for a while last Friday. As I was leaving so he could have lunch and a nap, he said to me...
"Life's short. Run hard."
We love you, Larry. More than you will ever know.
This be the verse you grave for me:
Here he lies where he longed to be;
Home is the sailor, home from the sea,
And the hunter home from the hill.
-- "Requiem" by Robert Louis Stevenson
Larry’s resting in the arms of The Lord. God comfort those he left behind.
I am sorry you have lost him, faithful friend!
I’m so sorry. Prayers for all involved. Ya done good. Real good.
*In the end, only kindness matters.* ~ My dad.
You did a good thing. Larry had good friends. Prayers.
I’m sorry, ThreeLefts.
I dont know this person like I did JRandom, but if the person was a good enough person for you to care about, then he was a good enough person for us to care about.
My condolences and my wife and I pray every time a FReeper earns their wings.
God bless FR.
Prayers up for you all. Larry is in a better place. God bless you for all you and your friends did for him.
I’m so sorry. You’re a good friend. I will pray for dear Larry tonight.
Very sorry for your loss. May he rest in peace.
Please pass along my condolences to his family and to you. I’m very sorry for your loss.
As we pray for the repose of Larry's soul and Antonin Scalia's and JRandom FReeper's, let each of us pray for that newborn child that he or she live life as well as they did in conformity with the will of God.
May God have mercy on Larry's soul and all the souls of the faithfully departed and welcome him into heaven.
May God bless you and yours!
Well, if one’s eyes an stay dry during that...mine didn’t.
That was beautiful.
I am very sorry to hear of your loss. Larry is in a better place if all is well. His race is run.
I visited a buddy this afternoon who is not feeling well. I thought of losing him if we are not able to become old men together. I actually felt good for him though. His race may be run soo as well. But his four boys, grandchildren and wife will be left to shoulder loads without him.
So tired of worrying about people.
Sorry to hear that. At least he was a hunter. I’ll always treasure my days in the field.
Thank you all for your prayers and thoughts on this sad day.
I’ve been tapped to deliver the “Friends Of Larry” eulogy at the funeral on Thursday.
Gotta go. Lot’s of stuff to put to paper.
You all have inspired me.
Our prayers should also rise to God for the comforting and spiritual healing of his widow, Maureen McCarthy Scalia, whom he married in 1960 and who bore him nine children. Truly an example of a genuinely Catholic marriage of nearly 56 years duration. And also for his children who must be bereft. I hope that Ruth Bader Ginsberg, his close friend, despite evident philosophical differences, will be allowed some role in the aftermath of his death. And Clarence Thomas, as well. Thomas will have to step up now and lead the conservatives on SCOTUS.
went for a few drinks to ease the pain.
saw what they were saying on twitter about him, and it ripped my hear out.
i tried not to let anger take me, but it was painful.
I know to many it sounds silly caring that he was the first Italian American on the bench.
But some people here have kin that fought in the Revolutionary war!!!
they have their bona fides!! They earned their right to be called Americans.
A lot of Italian Americans fought bravely in WWII, but having Scalia and Alito on the SC made a lot of us feel like we were really now DYED IN THE WOOL AMERICANS!!
we love this country. alot.
From the mind of God to your pen and your voice.
I was just thinking about you, and hoping the eulogy is coming along well. God bless you FRiend.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.