Saturday, February 11, 2012

Stand a little rain

Today's been a sad day. Jilda and I attended the funeral of our friend Carl who lost his only son in a car wreck this week. Adam was only 25. 
When Adam was about 12, his dad asked if I'd give him a few guitar lessons. I love teaching kids how to play so I stayed after work and taught him some chords and a few songs. He was very intelligent, and quickly learned what I had to teach.

Today when we talked to Carl, the anguish on his face was painful to see. I had no words, so both Jilda and I hugged him for a long time.

This afternoon, I checked my email and I got another piece of bad news.

I did a story last month that ran in
The Homewood Star  about a couple that had been married for 71 years. 
The story ran in the February edition to coincide with Valentines Day. The email I got was from Jake and Margaret's grand daughter who said that Jake passed away today.
Margaret and Jake Monte

She thanked me for the story saying that it made them both very happy, but h
er note made me very sad.
If life were all "highs" you'd begin to take if for granted. For every yin, there is a yang.
Donnie Lowery, a songwriter we met years ago wrote a song for The Oakridge Boys called --
If we're ever going to see a rainbow, we have stand a little rain.
Well I guess you could say, it rained a little today.




14 comments:

  1. Some days are like that aren't they. Heartbreakers. You gave your friend your support and love and I know that you will be keeping watch over him too. The old gentleman, God bless him and keep watch over his dear wife.

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  2. How tough it must be to lose a child before you. It's not the right order. That is a lovely older couple but think of the years they had together and the closeness they must have shared.
    I could feel a few of your raindrops way up here today.

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  3. I'm sad for the losses these people experienced and for the unhappiness I know you feel. All I can say is that every experience adds up to make us who we are, and if we didn't have sorrow, we wouldn't appreciate happiness. But that's not going to be of any comfort to someone whose 25-year-old son died.

    Love,
    Janie

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  4. Seems as though I have read of so much sadness lately. There are really no words for such loss, but it does serve to remind us that life and people are priceless.

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  5. I am so sorry for the loss of Carl and Jake. My deepest sympathies to their families.

    Take care
    x

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  6. Oh what a heartbreak of a week. Sadly, 'into each life some rain must fall'. It is always so terrible when a child passes away before the parents. My prayers to you and your friend.
    I hope you see rainbows this week.
    Hugs~

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  7. Sending hugs to you both.

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  8. What a sad, yet beautiful post. Yes, we stand a little rain and some cold, too.

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  9. Anonymous9:11 AM

    Rough weekend. My condolances on your loss of friends. Hopefully next weekend you will see the rainbow.

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  10. My God Rick, it seems more understanding when someone who is elderly passes away. Yet when you hear of a young person passing it just breaks your heart. I feel for your friend. And the family of Jake. Yes it does rain doesn't it?!

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  11. Words can't even come close to giving comfort to your friend for the loss of a child. Your hugs said more to his heart than words. I feel very sad for the widow who had so many years and now must go on alone. Such a contrast...the young who shouldn't have gone so soon, the old who everyone will say had a long life, but the sadness and grief will be the same. I hope the rainbow comes soon for you and for them.

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  12. I'm sorry to hear of your losses this week. I remember reading your article about Margaret and Jake.

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  13. Losing a child has to be the worst tragedy anyone can go through. I pray God will comfort Carl.

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  14. Thanks all. I'm constantly amazed by your kindness.

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