Jen's mom died this week (let's call her Judi). The viewing and service were today.
Judi was having pain in her stomach and so, decided to go to the doctor. At first, they couldn't find anything, but eventually they discovered that Judi had cancer and that it had spread. That was in March. And now, she's gone.
Jen was a friend of Rich and Greg in their teen years - and a particular favorite of mine. Greg was close to Jen's family, especially Jen's dad (Let's call him Larry). They treated Greg like one of their own. He would be devastated today.
He would also have been the family's best support. He would have been part of every arrangement that they'd let him be part of. He'd be a rock for the family. And he would hide his own pain.
Larry was a contractor who was an enthusiastic and loving mentor for Greg. And Greg adored Larry. I think my favorite story was about Larry teaching Greg to drive a stick shift (truck).
Greg came home after a day working with Larry (at Larry's house) and told us that he had learned to drive a stick shift that day.
My memory isn't what it used to be, but it seems to me that Larry wanted Greg to take his truck to Home Depot or somewhere and pick something up. Greg got in the truck and yelled out the window to Larry, "It's stick shift! I never drove a stick shift before."
Greg said that Larry laughed and answered, "That's okay, Greg. You'll figure it out before you get to the end of the driveway." (Thankfully, they had a long driveway.) There was no more instruction.
Greg said he stalled the truck; he ground the gears; the truck lurched; and by the time he hit the street, Greg knew how to drive a stick shift truck. Larry's confidence was affirmed.
I cried today for Jen. I cried today for the rest of the family. But I cried the most because it brought back so many memories of Greg.
Today is one of those days that make me wonder how I will go on without him. There are still so very many of those days.
I miss my son.
Judi was having pain in her stomach and so, decided to go to the doctor. At first, they couldn't find anything, but eventually they discovered that Judi had cancer and that it had spread. That was in March. And now, she's gone.
Jen was a friend of Rich and Greg in their teen years - and a particular favorite of mine. Greg was close to Jen's family, especially Jen's dad (Let's call him Larry). They treated Greg like one of their own. He would be devastated today.
He would also have been the family's best support. He would have been part of every arrangement that they'd let him be part of. He'd be a rock for the family. And he would hide his own pain.
Larry was a contractor who was an enthusiastic and loving mentor for Greg. And Greg adored Larry. I think my favorite story was about Larry teaching Greg to drive a stick shift (truck).
Greg came home after a day working with Larry (at Larry's house) and told us that he had learned to drive a stick shift that day.
My memory isn't what it used to be, but it seems to me that Larry wanted Greg to take his truck to Home Depot or somewhere and pick something up. Greg got in the truck and yelled out the window to Larry, "It's stick shift! I never drove a stick shift before."
Greg said that Larry laughed and answered, "That's okay, Greg. You'll figure it out before you get to the end of the driveway." (Thankfully, they had a long driveway.) There was no more instruction.
Greg said he stalled the truck; he ground the gears; the truck lurched; and by the time he hit the street, Greg knew how to drive a stick shift truck. Larry's confidence was affirmed.
I cried today for Jen. I cried today for the rest of the family. But I cried the most because it brought back so many memories of Greg.
Today is one of those days that make me wonder how I will go on without him. There are still so very many of those days.
I miss my son.
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