To those who know of my journeys, you know how life circumstances brought me to Washington, D.C. for ten years to help escort my then aging in-laws into the next world---rest in peace! Over that course of time, I also entered into Fatherhood. Two handsome strapping young lads! Bright, happy, intelligent and shall we just say..."on the spectrum." We found the District to be "OK" for resources, but after much research were impressed with the Northwest as far as services that would benifit our guys. (and I also wanted to return to the left-coast where I cut my teeth). We found a happy medium in the greater Portland, Oregon area.
Upon our landing on this new planet last July, we got our younguns enrolled in schools and summer programs. Of the many interesting activities, is a fun monthly thing called "game club" where kids can play video games, trade game cards, do that Wii thing, watch movies and all around have some cut-loose fun. I've met some outstanding young people, but being "the new guy" in the midst of an established environment, had a hard time catching on with the flock, which is understandable.
But there was one guy a little older than me (I'm 50) who pretty much took me under his wing. I have concerns and deep worries about the future of my youngest one, and this man gave me a list of websites, his own eMail and home phone and told me "call anytime you want, anytime you need, day or night if you want to talk it out with someone." Please understand that this guy didn't know me from two bails of hay, but none-the-less opened his doors for me without a flinch!
I never really took him up on that offer, but every month we would seek each other out at the adult tables upstairs, while the kids would go wild elsewhere. He and I would engage in the social/religio/economic political issues of late. He had an incredible insight into the "skinny" of things. Unbelievable stuff---until I would read, watch or hear a confirming report a few days later. It was like he had his eyes and ears around every corner. His Wife one time tried to break us up because she thought we were fighting, but we both laughed and reassured her that we actually were in complete agreement! Just very spirited, that's all...
So last Friday was the March game club and I was looking forward to debating with my new-found friend, when his son sat down next to me (himself, the finest bass player I have ever heard...period!). I was just inches from asking him "so, where's your old man?" when he told me..."My Father passed away suddenly two weeks ago." Randy was just a babe of 57 years young. Apparently, he was getting ready to go to a jig-saw party (true! He loved them!), and was very excited, when he just colapsed. He was diabetic, and didn't really take too good care of himself, but this was still shocking.
Just a few hours ago, I got back from a celibration of his life. There were over 300 people from all ages, lifestyles and professions. Randy it would seem, had that open door to anyone who he felt was in need, emotionally, finacially, or otherwise. Just the biggest heart in all of Oregon, that gave out way too early. He was a DJ who had a daily radio show in the Portland area back in the day and volumes of reel-to-reel tapes---among other massive media entries---to back it up. He wrote for many local magazines. Advocated many issues for the common good and walked this example in real life.
I barely knew the guy, but felt I had just lost an old friend. Watching the video slide show of his life, I was trying to glean more of this wonderful human being who graced so many fortunate people in his brief appearence in this show. He leaves two young boys, an equaly giving Wife and masses of saddened friends and relatives. Strange in that he was the one who reached-out to me when he felt that I needed a vent of some sort. I see his boys now taking the mantle, and hear of the family home needing some repairs...something that I do for a living and comes easily to me. This is my chance to step it up and repay some of that awe-inspiring energy back to where it's needed.
But last of all, time to put some time back into myself, for this has caused me to observe an introspective moment into my remaining shelf life. Now, I know I have a lot of time left, no heart or cancer issues in my family tree and I'm reasonably healthy but could do better. Many thanks to all of you for reading this far, and it's time to stop messing around. Get my fat butt back on that bike and hammer some weekly miles, lower my heart rate, drop about 25 pounds, get real about my diet, get reliable sleep! Do it for myself and to feel better. Do it for my Wife, seeing how loss feels firsthand. Do it for my awesome boys. Do it in memory of my buddy Randy Chase...I barely knew ye!
