Richard stopped by tonight on his way home from work. I fainted yesterday, did something to both knees, and was unable to walk. I have a lightweight (35 lbs) mobility scooter in the basement that I use to gather leather, etc. while making bracelets. While Richard was here, I asked him if he could possibly bring that scooter up. Michael had been pushing me through the house on a rollator since I fell. ANYWAY... that's not the reason for this post.
Richard stopped by and we were talking about some work I was having done to the house and that the man doing the work (let's call him Brian) was someone who graduated with Richard. Richard didn't remember him at all. Didn't surprise me.
Brian told me that he played American Legion baseball with both kids but knew Greg better. He cried when he learned that Greg had died. He also told me that he had a history of drugs and that he had been sober for 13 years. Now I knew why Richard didn't know him and Greg did - kind of. That's not really the reason for this post, either.
When Richard left, Michael walked him out to his car and as they talked, Michael mentioned that one thing he has learned is that the McKinnons were well known in this area and that we keep running into people who knew them - and it often worked to our advantage. Richard laughed.
He told Michael that Greg knew everyone. Richard remembered one Halloween when he and Greg were 12 or 13. They were walking down the street together and at one point they heard a group of kids behind them. The kids' behavior identified them quickly as thug-type kids. They kept getting closer - their language threatening. Richard said that it was becoming obvious to Greg and him that they were about to be beaten up - their candy stolen. The kids behind them continued to get closer and louder. At the last second, Richard and Greg turned around and one of the kids, seeing Greg, yelled enthusiastically, "Hey McKinnon... how you been?" Greg responded just as enthusiastically.
Richard just laughed. He said that was Greg. He knew and loved everyone from every part of life.
Greg was voted "Most Popular" in high school. When he told us, I wondered how many people he had to please to be voted Most Popular. Greg knew the nerds - he knew the jocks - he knew the thugs - he knew the medically challenged kids - he knew the unpopular kids.
In Greg's adulthood - especially watching him in his own business, I learned that Greg just had a huge capacity to love... people... all people. He forgave easily - was compassionate and empathetic. He employed people who needed the work - whether they were a help or a hindrance. He took payment in old cars and cats. Greg did work for people who couldn't afford to have that work done. He did it because he could - and because they needed the help.
His light burned brightly and went out way too quickly.
Richard stopped by and we were talking about some work I was having done to the house and that the man doing the work (let's call him Brian) was someone who graduated with Richard. Richard didn't remember him at all. Didn't surprise me.
Brian told me that he played American Legion baseball with both kids but knew Greg better. He cried when he learned that Greg had died. He also told me that he had a history of drugs and that he had been sober for 13 years. Now I knew why Richard didn't know him and Greg did - kind of. That's not really the reason for this post, either.
When Richard left, Michael walked him out to his car and as they talked, Michael mentioned that one thing he has learned is that the McKinnons were well known in this area and that we keep running into people who knew them - and it often worked to our advantage. Richard laughed.
He told Michael that Greg knew everyone. Richard remembered one Halloween when he and Greg were 12 or 13. They were walking down the street together and at one point they heard a group of kids behind them. The kids' behavior identified them quickly as thug-type kids. They kept getting closer - their language threatening. Richard said that it was becoming obvious to Greg and him that they were about to be beaten up - their candy stolen. The kids behind them continued to get closer and louder. At the last second, Richard and Greg turned around and one of the kids, seeing Greg, yelled enthusiastically, "Hey McKinnon... how you been?" Greg responded just as enthusiastically.
Richard just laughed. He said that was Greg. He knew and loved everyone from every part of life.
Greg was voted "Most Popular" in high school. When he told us, I wondered how many people he had to please to be voted Most Popular. Greg knew the nerds - he knew the jocks - he knew the thugs - he knew the medically challenged kids - he knew the unpopular kids.
In Greg's adulthood - especially watching him in his own business, I learned that Greg just had a huge capacity to love... people... all people. He forgave easily - was compassionate and empathetic. He employed people who needed the work - whether they were a help or a hindrance. He took payment in old cars and cats. Greg did work for people who couldn't afford to have that work done. He did it because he could - and because they needed the help.
His light burned brightly and went out way too quickly.
