We're still trying to get our days onto an even keel here. We resume exercise tomorrow, and I hope that will help. Wednesday is our weekly day for dinner with my niece and her sons. She's trying to talk us out of cooking, so we may go out to dinner tomorrow night.
My sleep patterns have been swinging widely from almost nothing to too much and back to almost nothing again. I ended up stealing an hour in the big chair in the kitchen this morning before I ran errands.
Dear Husband checked in this evening and had some amazing things to tell me.
It seems that his son was quietly active in raising funds for the Red Cross and for Multiple Sclerosis. He gave wine lectures at Border's bookstores and the entry fee went to charity.
He used to meet with a group of former Illinoians...or at least BEARS FANS... every Sunday at a local pub. The pub has asked for one of the Bears jerseys he owned and they plan to name a chair for him.
The company he worked for is going to name the wine room that holds the expensive wines for him, and is planning a memorial so large that they will have to hold it out of doors. People from across the industry will be invited to attend.
Friends from Atlanta are holding a memorial there, for all the people who knew him, who might not be able to travel to the wake.
E-mails have been pouring into the restaurant, and they are being forwarded to us, so that we have a sense of how well known and well loved this man was.
It's a lovely tribute, and it makes us all aware of how exceptional he was.
Comments (10)
This made me cry. I've often wondered what I don't know about my own children that would be so lovely and inspiring if I only had a clue. I'm so glad that you have these wonderful revelations to enjoy in Freddie John's absence. lil sis aka frankie aka louie
Posted by Nancy | January 4, 2006 1:37 PM
Posted on January 4, 2006 13:37
Me too, sis. He was just an amazing man, and because I didn't get to see him in his normal surroundings, I didn't realize just how amazing he was.
I'd been talking to Dear Husband about flying down to Florida to have dinner at the Flemmings, so that he could show off the restaurant. I'm so sad that I may see it now without him.
The thing that has stayed with me is that he was so positive in his outlook. I know that I still have things to learn from him. Helping others, and finding the bright side of life are just two of them.
I wonder what Bartlett's has along the lines of quotes on making the best use of time, or living life to the fullest. They sure would be fitting here.
Posted by buffy | January 4, 2006 1:54 PM
Posted on January 4, 2006 13:54
Nan/Frankie/Louis--While still employed, I always wondered what amazing/wonderful/smart/thoughtful things "my" people did that they didn't get credit for. Thanks for reminding me that my ignorance applies to family and friends, as well.
Posted by Cop Car | January 4, 2006 5:49 PM
Posted on January 4, 2006 17:49
Buffy I'm so terribly sorry to hear about this.
Posted by Pob | January 4, 2006 8:39 PM
Posted on January 4, 2006 20:39
Cop Car, we just discovered today that our son compartmentalized a lot of his life. His workmates didn't know what he was like when he taught the wine classes at Borders, and the Borders people had no idea what he was like at work. We didn't know the extent of his charity fund raising, and had little idea of the extent of his networking in the food industry.
I think we might say that he was "modest" about his efforts, and every little story that comes to us fills in the picture. He was quite a guy!
CC....I bet that you need a lot of people to paint a complete picture of all you do, too. I know about the work with the airplane companies, and of course your quilting. You have a number of humanitarian things you do, and you garden, and you enjoy time with your family. You can see how we each know a little part of our friends and family.
I better start talking with my siblings!
Posted by buffy | January 4, 2006 9:17 PM
Posted on January 4, 2006 21:17
Pob, life doesn't always move on in the ways we expect, does it? I'm sorry this is the news I have to share with you. I've missed seeing your posts. I hope all is well with you.
Posted by buffy | January 4, 2006 9:19 PM
Posted on January 4, 2006 21:19
I always think that it's so sad that family frequently never know how loved and respected their members are until they are dead.
Hope you're getting through everything that has to be done and sorted at these times OK buffy. Still thinking about you.
Posted by Blue Witch | January 5, 2006 2:06 PM
Posted on January 5, 2006 14:06
Sorry girl! I just found out! I keep running into this a lot latly. Sounds like a weel liked person!
Posted by Joe | January 5, 2006 9:39 PM
Posted on January 5, 2006 21:39
Buffy, I'm glad to hear that you and your hubby are learning such wonderful things about your hubbys son. Too bad that he did keep his life compartmentalized so you didn't know him as well before, but, you are getting that oppertunity now.
Posted by Desiree | January 6, 2006 2:38 AM
Posted on January 6, 2006 02:38
Buffy,
He sounds like he was a very giving, but humble man. I think about you and your hubby often and I hope you are coping.
Posted by Susan | January 8, 2006 7:37 PM
Posted on January 8, 2006 19:37