Saturday, February 20, 2010

Sonny
















Hello Shipslog. Last night one of the biggest fears of traveling come about. Sonny, my best friend and brother in law passed away. We got the call late in the evening. We sit here now, practically ready to pull out of a dark camp ground. I do not like to move this rig in the dark, especially in the woods.





Another draw-back is the diesel engine. In a very quiet camp ground you must start it and let it idle for about ten minutes while it builds up air pressure for the air bags and air brakes. Then as you move each time you touch the brakes they make a squeal, that your fellow campers and RV’rs do not appreciate.





Most will realize there is an emergency, and understand without saying many bad words.
About Sonny. Like any good friend and buddy we have had a great time. We have laughed and cried together. Even when he was very sick last year this time, we found a way to laugh. He was a great guy, we had a lot in common. Never once in our 50+ years of friendship was there a harsh word, a falling out a nasty situation we were always just a little more than friends.





What I have lost, his family has lost and the world has lost, is probably the worlds last ‘honest man’. I do not know anyone who is not, or has not been an actor at one time in their life, but not Sonny. In our close relationship he never ‘gossiped’. Talking ‘about people’ in a nasty sense was not Sonny. Revealing ‘your’ secret was not in him. One of the most ‘Christian’ men I have ever known without being ‘religious’. One of the most honest men who knew how to say, ‘I don’t know.’






I will now reveal one of his inner-most feelings. It was expressed to me a little after his beautiful wife died. He and I riding along (I remember the exact place we were). He said, “Jack you are going to think I am terrible,” tears in his eyes, “But if I could just KNOW Colette was with Jesus, If I could just KNOW she is happy, I could find peace. What do you think about that?”





“I’d say you are normal buddy.” Was all I could say, and I meant it. So to everyone I say, “Now he KNOWS.”
Good day Shipslog,










And to my friend I say,"Fair winds and following seas buddy, I love you!"

19 comments:

Lucy said...

I am so Sorry Jack and Sherry. As I said before it does not make a difference how old or how young, it hurts when they atr cakked home. God Bless you both. Lucy

Display Name said...

My condolences Sherry and Jack. It was a nice tribute, take care.

Terri said...

With tear filled eyes..I must say that was a beautiful tribute to your best friend, your brotherinlaw. I am so very sorry for your loss Jack and Sherry...my heart just aches for you two. Losing our loved ones is so very hard...and you are so right, now Sonny KNOWS...

May he fly with the Angels... Rest in Peace Sonny

Love ya'll
Hugs Terri

Helen said...

My prayers go out to all the family and friends of Sonny. May God give each one peace and comfort and an uplift in their spirits. Helen

Rose said...

Dear Jack and Sherry,

Words are poor things when we suffer the loss of a loved one. Still I want to convey my desire, however inadequate, to offer consolation.

Please accept my deepest sympathy for you and your family and friends in your bereavement.

Hugs, Rose

Ally Lifewithally said...

What a lovely tribute to your friend Sonny ~ Ally x

Anonymous said...

IT IS A GREAT FEELING TO HAVE FRIENDS THAT ARE CLOSER THAN A BROTHER.
A SAD TIME WHEN THEY DIE. THE OLDER WE BECOME THE LIST OF FRIENDS OF CHILDHOOD DAYS BECOMES SHORTER. THE NEED TO TALK TO ONES THAT HAVE THINGS IN COMMON. REMEMBERING THIS AND THAT.
THE GREAT DEPRESSION YEARS. SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT. MAKING 'DO' WITH WHAT WE HAD.
BALING WIRE PLACED ON FENCES ALONG THE TRAIL IN EVENT OF A BREAKDOWN NEEDING BALING WIRE.

YOUNG FRIENDS ARE FINE. THEY CANNOT BE EXPECTED TO UNDERSTAND OUR OLD ACTIONS AND HABITS. NICE YOUNG FRIENDS ARE MORE LIKE AN ANGEL, WILLING TO HELP WHEN KNOWING OUR NEEDS.

I BELIEVE WE ARE ENTERING AN ERA THAT IS SORT OF SLIP SLIDING FROM GOOD MORALS TOWARD THE EDGE OF A CLIFF. ARE THERE ENOUGH SINCERE CHRISTIANS LEFT TO RESCUE AMERICA ?

PERHAPS THE VOTE THIS COMING NOVEMBER WILL BRING A CHANGE FOR THE BETTER AND CONGRESS WILL COME TO IT'S SENSES AND HALT THE FOOLISH SPENDING.

MOST AMERICANS ARE INTELLIGENT AND RECOURSEFUL AND WILLING TO STAY WITHIN BUDGET.

SCOUNDRELS THAT TALK PEOPLE INTO BUYING MORE THAN THEY CAN AFFORD. 200,000 DOLLAR HOUSES SOLD TO ONES THAT CANNOT EVEN PAY THE UTILITIES. THEN IMMEADIATELY SELLING THE MORTGAGE. MILLIONS OF HOUSES WERE SOLD THAT WAY, THAT BEING A LARGE PART OF OUR PRESENT PREDICAMENT.

FOOLISH SPENDING MUST BE STOPPED, BEGINNING WITH CONGRESS AND FOOLISH SPENDING BY EXECUTIVE ORDER OF OUR PRESIDENT, IF AMERICA DOES NOT SLIDE INTO THE CHASM OF SECOND OR THIRD WORLD STATUS. CHECK THE CANDIDATE'S RECORD. sam

~mel said...

Jack & Sherry ~ my heart goes out to you and yours. Cherish the memories! It's a beautiful tribute you wrote here about Sonny. Death leaves a heartache that no one can heal; but love leaves a memory that no one can steal. {{{HUGS}}}

Fred Alton said...

Jack and Sherry, I am sorry for your loss. God be with you as you travel and grant you strength and words of wisdom to comfort the others of Sonny's family during this time of grief. Wanna know what I think is the hardest day of all for those of us who lose a loved one? it's the third day after the death. The first day you have purpose - you are planning the funeral. The next day you have friends - you stand by the casket and receive the sincerely good-wishes of many friends and a few acquaintances. But the third day - the full impact of the loss hits one like a ton of bricks. Loved ones are gone back to their jobs and their normal lives and you are left alone in an empty house with your thoughts. Asking the questions that Sonny asked after Colette's passing. That's going to be the toughest thing for me when it happens. But FAITH, HOPE and CHARITY; these three things are eternal. God give you and yours those eternal verities that comfort mortal man.

Sheila Y said...

Jack and Sherry, my prayers are with you and all of Sonny's family and friends. We have come to know him through you. You gave him a wonderful tribute. Now he is back in the arms Colette. God Bless, Sheila

Paula said...

My sympathy to you and Sherry and all his family and friends. I remember all the entries you made abut him when he was so ill. I'm sure everyone like me feels we knew him too.

betty said...

my sympathies to you and Sherry,Jack, and your family and friends of Sonny. He sounded like a wonderful man.

betty

Anonymous said...

My condolences.

As love does negate time and distance he for sure will remain close.

Melanie said...

(((((((((((((jack & Sherry)))))))))))))))

My prayers are with you two.

Sorry for your loss.
Melanie

Woody said...

Sorry for your Loss!
There are not a lot of words to express sorrow and sadness!

shirl72 said...

Sonny had a good time in life and was always
the same. Now he knows where Collette is, no
question. At this age our friends are getting
fewer. Sonny can sit and have good conversation with those already there. Your poem you wrote
about Dad fits... Night slipped into dawn, Dawn merged into beauty. Bright grew the road his
weary feet had trod. He gave his salutation to the morning and found himself before the face
of God. Rest in peace Sonny..you fought a good
fight and the battle is over.

Shirl

Dar said...

God travel with you and Sherry. Savor the memories dear friends. My sister Mel said it right. We lost our Dad 2 yrs ago and one of our sisters a yr ago the 22nd. We do understand your loss and heartache for such a dear friend. Our Daddy and sister were also so honest and such good Christians. You will miss Sonny forever, just as you have loved him forever. God is Good. Sonny rests in peace where it Christmas is celebrated every day. God will give you and Sonnys family peace and His Blessings. What a wonderful tribute.

Sherry said...

Be safe and my prayers are with Sonny's family, Sherry and you. Sherry

Glenda said...

Dear Jack & Sherry,
It was with profound sorrow that I read in your blog that Sonny has gone. Even when we believe we're prepared for the death of someone we love,
there is a finality that comes with the actual
event that is so painful. With sympathy for your
loss and admiration for the tribute to Sonny, he obviously was a wonderful man. Love to you two and Shirl.