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.
These are the most important times of your life.
Think of the funny things and why we all must know them.
Godspeed.
Wow. Thanks for your concern and support.
I was asked to speak for 5 minutes or so. I was sweating bullets.
Until I received 5 “Friends Of Larry” emails with really great stories and tributes. From some of his contemporaries, as well as the next generation. They call themselves the “Young Guns”.
All I have to do is write an opening and closing. And read these really poignant messages.
Oh, and hold it together.
Wish me luck.
I’m considering posting some of the tributes here. Maybe next week.
Just understand your prayer now. You will be fine.
You will miss your friend and share moments with those in attendance. It’s OK to cry.
eye
#6 tribute just rolled in.
I’m going to have to read really fast to keep it under 10 minutes!
Whatever it takes. Explain it to the coordinators.
Explain your relationship with Larry and go into the tributes.
The last one comes from you. No time limit.
I will sincerely pray for your steady composure. It may break at the end.
Seeing a good man go before you do is tough.
I am sorry for the loss of your friend. Prayers for his family and friends.
Georgia, eh?
Check your FR mail for a chuckle.
lol replied
You’ll do fine. Just picture everybody in their pajamas, and don’t forget to breathe!
Oh, I’ll make it.
Even if I have to read everything with my left eye.
It would appear that I have either a cyst or a sty under my right eyelid.
Hurts like a...
Cyst or a sty.
Maybe it will fade away today. ðŸ™
That gobbledygook was supposed to be a praying hands emoticon.
That’s what I saw.
;-)
|
Thank you for that. I’m a big WZ fan and I’d forgotten how beautiful that song is.
Best,
L
What a lovely selection!
Hope that Larry’s spirit lives in all his friends and family.
Be.
Nice.
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