Monday, November 13, 2017

Dennis Barnes, Goodbye to a friend

Historical picture:
Little Harry Whittles,in 1974,  hearing sound for the first time.

Now from Flroida:                      
Life is confusing. Chatty Crone has a quote by Jill Savage on her blog header that in part says: ‘Life is lived forward and understood backwards.’

Ain’t it the truth? As a kid I played the trumpet in the church band. When we moved to Belmont there was a lady named Pauline. Of course in our church she was Sister Barnes. She was easy to spot, always smiling. Over the first few months she gave birth to a boy. He was named Dennis. I watched him grow. Pauline sat about three pews back center section, center of the pew. Dennis NEVER interrupted service. But would stand on his mama’s lap and keep up with the music.

Over time I started dating Sherry. Of course she knew most everyone and had known Pauline for years. We started claiming Dennis as our boy. Of course the name of Dennis the Menace felt natural. Have you known people who were just ‘good’ all their lives?  I think Dennis was.

YES that is ‘was.’ He will be buried Tuesday. We won't be there, but I sit here and still see that kid jumping up and down at times on his mother’s lap.  How can he be gone and I am still here? How could he have been 63 years old? He was just a kid!

I live it forward, but don’t know if I even understand it backwards some time. But Life continues for us that are above the grass.

   (Picture taken from his brother Michael's Blog, thanks Mike)


Fair Winds and Following Seas to my buddy Dennis. And Peace to the remaining siblings, Becky and Michael.

Nite Shipslog
PS: A note about this wonderfully made body of ours:
Facial hair grows faster than any other hair on the body. This is true for men as well as women.

****************   ************   *****
These cars were new when Dennis was born:
                                                   Packard
                                   Buick Skylark
                                   Ford
                      Nash Metropoitan 

9 comments:

Paula said...

Sorry for the loss of your friend Dennis. I have a Dennis son-in-law.

betty said...

So sorry for the loss of Dennis for his family and friends. Fine looking man. Hubby and me were just commenting on our good health when we know of people younger than us in nursing homes or on a long list of medications. Need to be grateful as Ma would be grateful.

betty

~mel said...

Sorry to hear of the passing of your friend.

TARYTERRE said...

so sorry to hear of the loss of your dear friend.

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

It is not easy at all to see those younger than we are die. My oldest son, only 46 passed away in April of this year. None of us know just how long we'll live so we must make the most of every day. Time does go on and we miss those that go before their time...but God's timing is not our timing at all.

Dar said...

Sadness of the loss of your Dennis the Menace....only God knows when you will see him again but you will.
love n' hugs from up north where Bill is making breakfast sausage for the hunting cabin this weekend. One more hug for you two

Lisa said...

sorry to hear you loss of your little Dennis. I see adults I remember as them being kids. I cant understand how they age and I dont. ha.
It seems they catch up with me. But then again, I remember attending a cookout a few years ago at my 2nd grade teachers house. It was like we were the same age. That was odd. Whats even more odd, is her husband was one of Nicks friends. Eventually we are all the same.

Ill catch up with you before long.
Lisa

Chatty Crone said...

I guess his job on earth is done and y ours is not. Is there ever really an answer looking behind or forward? Although sometimes when I look back - I can see why I had to go through it in the first place.

Jackie said...

It is hard to say goodbye....
I'm so sorry for your loss.