I met John two yeas ago when I moved to the farm. We were members of the only Catholic Church in the area.
He can only be described as a powerful magnet that drew everyone to him when he entered a room. There was a drastic contrast between his brawny structure and gentle eyes. He was an 80-year old Marine who spoke with the pride of a recruit fresh out of boot camp. He respected the military and anyone who ever served- even a dog-face like me. He told fascinating stories of construction projects he supervised around the world. Once I asked his friend if these stories were true. The man said he has heard them for twenty years and the details never change. For this reason he accepted them as factual.
It is three days since John’s passing and I am thinking about the people we encounter in a lifetime. Most are nameless faces in a crowd. Some include an introduction but nothing more. Others are co-workers who we never truly know. The list narrows to acquaintances, family and finally a few friends if we are lucky.
The tragedy is when someone extends friendship and we do not recognize the offer. My relationship with John is one of missed opportunities on my part. Once John invited me over on a Friday afternoon for a Wild Turkey on his screened porch. I declined thinking I was too busy to drive the 20 miles to kick back and laugh at Life. A couple times I participated in his monthly penny-ante poker sessions. Although he invited me back several times, I seemed to have other priorities. John loved dogs and wanted me to bring my Cocker Spaniel around that he could see it. Whiskey Willie resists leaving the farm and loading him in the truck is a project. This was my excuse for not sharing the dog with John. For the past six months, health issues have kept John from attending church regularly. On Christmas morning I was talking to an Eucharistic Minister who was on his way to give Communion to John. I commented that I needed to stop and see him, but instead of driving two blocks to John’s home, I headed toward the farm. John was found dead on New Year’s Eve.
John, I apologize for my blindness.
