Guy

Well done my good and faithful servant

Mathew 25:23

On a day when my emotions peak, my release is writing. This morning is one of those days. A dear friend, Guy …may be as I write this, moving on. Joining his Lord, our Lord … soon. The memories abound. I’ve known him for more than 30 years. Marvel so much about him.

His sparkling humor is infectious. His capabilities are numerous. Exemplified by his highly successful business career. More importantly, he has led and been blessed with the most wonderful family. But here I want to share with you my reflections of who Guy is. Not as much about the things he has done.

He has always greeted me with his warm smile. He’s always glad to see me. Guy has always been more interested in me, than trying to be interesting himself. He is a good listener. He has an almost childlike curiosity. He enjoys the finer things. He is authentic … what you see is what you get. His faith in God is steadfast. He has been married to his beautiful wife Janet for … get this. For 61 years. Wow, there aren’t many of these guys left.

Guy has a one of a kind singing voice. I never knew how good it was until my wife Nancy and I visited our dear friends a few years ago. As long as I had known Guy, I had never heard him sing. The four of us were sitting at the kitchen table. “Guy, could you sing something for me?” … “Sure, Bob” he said. What followed stunned me.

Here we were casually chatting in the kitchen. And Guy lets it rip. His beautiful voice rang out as he sung an incredible rendition of the classic, “Old Man River.” His incomparable baritone voice? It felt like it shook the room. Despite all the years I had known him? This was a new dimension. Yet another aspect of my friend I could now appreciate. Churches, weddings, special occasions, Guy was invited to sing at many of these. And he was a highlight always.

Oh, and I remember hearing about his incredible retirement party from the company he had been with for decades. Guy is very loyal. Always gave nothing but his best. The celebration respected this. Reflected this. All I know is … it was grand. So well deserved.

Here’s a funny little story. Guy is so many things. But one thing he is not, a “technician.” You know, not mechanically inclined. One morning during our visit, the coffee was brewing. As you know, you can pull the pot out while the coffee processes. Guy and I were standing together as the coffee brewed. I reached and pulled the pot out. Harmless right. Not to “Mister Fixit” Guy freaked out. “Bob! Bob! You can’t do that! We going to have coffee all over the floor! … “No, Guy.  See, nothing spilled.” We both bent over crying with laughter. Don’t you love those who can laugh at themselves? Guy could and did. But no, he’s not a mechanical genius.

Lastly, I want to share my reflections on the sixty year romance Guy and his wife, Janet uniquely enjoyed. There is a concept known as “Oneness” A relationship between two people that is lovingly, totally committed to. In time they become “One.” To me, Janet and Guy became “One” long ago. Janet called me this morning to let me know Guy was fading. She shared this. “Bob, every morning … every morning, Guy greets me with ‘Hey, doll!’” Just a little gesture to start a new day. But so special. Guy has been fighting Alzheimer’s disease for many months. But he has never one day been alone. Janet has been by his side … every day. He has good days and bad days. but there was never a day he has failed to greet his Janet with “Hey doll!”

I have learned that you never lose someone when they pass away. You only take them with you. They were a significant part of you when here. They will always be a special part of you when gone. This is so clear to me when I think of these two. The love they shared. Indeed over sixty one years they became  …”One”

Godspeed, my dear friend,

Well done.