Some one asked me, "What's the point?"

[Buckeye Guy]

The best of times , the  worst of times !
Life is both of them all rolled together !
Sorry that I did not get to know your friend !
Sounds like a good one !
I look forward to meeting you soon !
Ask me about Smoke on the water when we do !
I will take time out to pray for your friend and family !
Take care !
Guy

[wildman]

I have two older friends in similar situations right now! I take comfort in knowing that they have lived to their fullest, as it sounds Jerry has. Prayers offered to all.

[hatcha]

Beautifully written, John.  Brought incredible imagery to my mind.  If you can dig up some of those pic's you mentioned some time, I think there's more than a few on here that would love to see them.

May he pass peacefully, surrounded by loved ones.

[JW_Halverson]

I know there are legions of angels standing around hoping to be the ones picked to wing him home. 

[crooketarrow]

  Don't be sorry for Jerry sound like he's the type of person that would'nt want that. I've been around a lot of death some volent. People that are truely ready to pass on. Do so with no fear. Sounds if JERRYS READY IF HE'D LIVED 3 LIVES.
  My granddad told me as he dieded. Don't be sorry for me.
  I'M NOT ,HOW COULD I BE HAVEING LIVED THE LIFE I HAVE.
 I want you'll to have a party instead of a wake. Sounds like Jerry would want the same.
  THERE'S NOTHING YOU CAN SAY OR DO TO EASE THE PAIN OF LOVE ONES
  JUST REMEMBER HIM THE WAY THE WAY HE'D WANT YOU TO.

   No disrespect to you or him if I don't feel sorry for you or him. I have total respect for older poeple thats lived the lives the way that they wanted to. A thing not many can say they've did when the come to death.

[JW_Halverson]

Boy you got it figured out, Roy.  And no, I sure as heck don't feel sorry for him.  He told me the other day that one way or the other he will witness a miracle soon.  He either walks out of the place or he sees his Master face to face, and he's ready for both. 

No.  I feel sorry for myself.  For all the times I talked on the phone instead of going out to coffee with him.  For not taking a day off (or quitting the job altogether) to go hunt turkeys with him.  For not just spending the whole afternoon shooting the breeze with him when we met on the street.  Yeah, I am ate up with feeling sorry for myself.  It's like I have learned nothing from him. 

[johnston]

Death is the most intensely personal experience a living thing faces.

Jerry doesn't sound like the type of man who willingly suffers fools.
He calls you friend so you did good in his eyes. And John, that's all
that counts.

[Stringman]

well said....

[JW_Halverson]

So shortly after Jerry's move to Hospice Care, his pastor visited him and said he was about to witness a miracle one way or the other.  He would either leave Hospice or else he would see his Maker face to face.

The other day he was moved to  nursing care facility and started rehab. 

Some folks just don't know when to give up!

[DGF]

Great news JW!

-Dan

[Olanigw (Pekane)]

Great news!  I hope he gives them hell at rehab!  They won't be able to keep up with him

[mullet]

 Sounds like someone I would have liked to hang out with. It always sucks losing the good ones, sorry to hear it, JW.

[crooketarrow]

 NO JW I only wish I had it all figgered out.
  And it's sad you'll lose your friend I lost a few friends and family members to cancer. But theres a lesson to be learn from his death when it happens.
  My GRANDDADY told me one day when I went to see him in the hospital. Roy I must have gotten couple dozzen calls from old freinds the last couple days. And I'm as guitly as those people that called me. Roy don't wait to call and stay in touch with your old friends untill their on their death bed do it while there still alive.
  So I make it a point to stay in touch with old friends when I can.