We weren't bosom buddies in High School, but we socialized in the same circles. The 'country kids' sort of stuck together, mostly because the city kids didn't understand that when hay needed baling or barns needed mucking out or row crops needed combining, that's where you would find the country kids - not at the beach on a Saturday afternoon. My Dad didn't farm, but there was still a big, old farmhouse to clean and weeds to be pulled in the garden and lessons on bread baking to learn Farmers or not, the country kids worked.
Glenn and I knew each other well enough to to talk when we met. It isn't easy to know people well in a graduating class of nearly 400. We lost touch after graduation. I went on to marry and produce children at a rather alarming rate. He, too, married, had sons and joined the Navy.
We connected again about 10 years ago through Facebook. Glenn had come out of Vietnam and joined the local police force where he protected and served until his retirement.
We talked on the phone a couple of times, but mostly we emailed. He would send me links and information about what was happening in our insane world. I always accused him of being connected to the 'Good Old Boy Cop Network,' and I think he might have been. He knew about what was happening close to me before I did, and he lived 100 miles away.
I heard of his death this morning. It came as a surprise. Last week he was canning salsa. Earlier this week he taught a conceal carry class.
Glenn was one of the good guys. He was an unapologetic patriot, volunteering for Nam when others of that time were trying to figure out the best route to Canada to avoid being drafted. He believed in law and order and spent a good share of his life in that profession. He cherished friends and family. And he knew for certain that when his time here was done, he would meet Jesus.
Godspeed, my friend. Well done.
Vicki, I am quite sure your classmate would be pleased to know you valued his friendship and wrote of his unexpected passing. It sounds to me like he was a very good guy and made a positive difference in the world he left behind. Take good care...CW
ReplyDeleteThank you CW...He was one of those rare people who thought of others before himself. He will be missed by many.
DeletePlease accept my sincere condolences on the loss of your friend, Vicki. That's one more person on the other shore waiting to greet you.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Gorges...It is comforting to know that so many we cared about are awaiting our arrival.
DeleteGlen sounds like a good guy. My husband also volunteered for the Marine Corps 1969-73 during the height of the Vietnam War. No running off to Canada or whining about bone spurs for my brave husband.
ReplyDeleteCheryl...Men like Glenn and your husband have earned my utmost respect, for while so many others were busy burning their draft cards and searching for ways to avoid military service, they did their patriotic duty without question. We need more like them.
DeleteI'm sorry to hear about Glenn's death. He sure sounded like one of the good ones! Robin
ReplyDeleteRobin...He was most definitely one of the good ones. He cared enough to take the time and effort to share with us information he found about many of the threats facing us in this crazy world. He will be missed by so many.
DeleteMy condolences on the loss of your classmate. He was most definitely a good man. Prayers also for his family.
ReplyDeleteThank you LTM...He was close with his family and I am sure his passing is difficult for them. But I am equally sure that he taught them that the separation is only temporary.
DeleteI look back on all the people I've known who have passed on, and wonder what I did right... or wrong... to still be here! Literally HALF of the people I grew up with are gone, including my first love, and one of my brothers. Quite a few of my shipmates from the Coast Guard have "crossed the bar" as well.
ReplyDelete...And so... it's left to us to end this act of the play, Carrying forward the memories of those who have gone before us, and fulfilling God's purpose for our continued presence on His Earth... 'Sounds so altruistic... Sometimes it just plain sucks...
I mourn with you, Vicki...
Thank you, Pete...There was no great romance involved. We weren't even all that close as youngsters. But Glenn was the kind of person who could pick up a friendship after nearly a lifetime of losing touch, and carry on like no time had passed at all. I think that was why it hit me so hard. He was truly one of the good guys.
DeleteThere have been times in my life - situations I found myself in - where I should not have survived at all and yet, came through with nary a scratch. I guess God isn't quite finished with me yet, for here I am - thanking Him for each morning I wake up.
We have our memories and we need to be sure that those we loved are not forgotten. But you are right - sometimes it just plain sucks.
Knowing that we will meet again does take the edge off and that helps. And with that in mind, I truly hope that when we get to our final destination, my friend, you will take the time to look me up.
REV'RND!!!
DeleteNot really, Pete...There are so many these days who fear the consequences of saying what is true, whether it is their faith or their political preference. Thing is, I am just too old and too ornery to sit down and shut up. Sigh.
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