Thursday, March 11, 2010

Unpredictable

You guys may remember this post, from a month ago. Basically, one of my readers (Bob) had his truck blocked into a parking space by an overzealous pot hole repair crew.

Bob died, quite unexpectedly, yesterday. His wife, Cheryl (also a reader) sent me an email last night. She wanted me to know how much he enjoyed seeing his truck nightmare up on my blog.

While I'm not planning on making online condolences a regular feature of my blog, I do want to send mine to Cheryl. I didn't know Bob at all (beyond the comment he posted that day), but anyone who can look at his truck trapped in a parking space by a malfunctioning maintenance drone, and have a good laugh (instead of, say, a shit fit or heart attack) is my kind of guy.

We all talk about the company we work for, who our boss is, etc. Always keep in mind who it is that you REALLY work for, and what is truly important.

IG


Tell me not, in mournful numbers,
Life is but an empty dream!
For the soul is dead that slumbers,
And things are not what they seem.

Life is real! Life is earnest!
And the grave is not its goal ;
Dust thou art, to dust returnest,
Was not spoken of the soul.

Not enjoyment, and not sorrow,
Is our destined end or way;
But to act, that each tomorrow
Find us farther than today.

In the world's broad field of battle,
In the bivouac of life,
Be not like dumb, driven cattle !
Be a hero in the strife !

Lives of great men all remind us
We can make our lives sublime,
And, departing, leave behind us
Footprints on the sands of time.


- A Psalm of Life, by Henry Longfellow

19 comments:

Harry Gewanter said...

Amen.

J-Quell'n said...

Condolences to Bob's wife and family.

Celeste said...

What a great post; my condolences to all who had the pleasure of knowing Bob.

Doris said...

As hard as it is to lose a loved one, sudden passing makes it that much worse: no time to prepare or say goodbye but plenty of time for those left behind to second guess themselves.

Condolences to Mrs. Bob. Thanks for sharing just a little bit of your beloved husband with us.

Sandra said...

My condolences to Cheryl and the rest of Bob's family. The picture of his truck was just hysterical and I am so glad he was able to share his bit of the world's insanity with us. We need more people in the world with that sense of humor.

Helen said...

What a wonderful sense of humour Bob had. I loved that picture of his truck.

Anonymous said...

RIP Bob, thanks for brightening up a stranger's day!!

Milo said...

I also had a good laugh when I read that post... R.I.P Bob. and sincere condolences to Cheryl

Andrea said...

I'd like to add my heartfelt condolences to all that know and love Bob. That post gave me a chuckle, and I can appreciate the type of person it would take to use the situation for humor instead of flying off the handle. Cheryl, if you read this, I'm so sorry for your loss.

LYNXMINKS said...

My condolences. Loss is hard. Know you are not alone in prayers and thought.

Anonymous said...

Life is like that. I'm sorry. Bob has left us a little wiser, a little more hopeful, a little sadder. Thanks for sharing your empathy, Cheryl.

(Tears dripping not from hilarious gas this time, Dr. G.)

Anonymous in Texas said...

Dear Cheryl, please accept my heartfelt condolences for your loss. I, too, enjoyed the post you and Bob provided last month. Cell phone cameras and the Internet were made for sharing stuff like that.

webhill said...

I'd like to thank Cheryl for updating you about Bob, offer my deepest sympathy and let her know how tickled I was by the photo of the truck. Bob brought a smile to my face that day.

Mari-Ann said...

You'd think at some point you would cease to surprise me but once again, I am moved by your blog. I enjoy your humor, your intelligence, your sensitivity and your gift of communication through the written word. Fellow blog readers, we have been given quite a gift by our Grumpy.

lbparker said...

My condolences to Cheryl and family. And thank you, Dr. Grumpy, for being a great human being.

Louise said...

My heartfelt condolences to Cheryl and the rest of Bob's family and friends. May your memories give you comfort.

terri c said...

Oh no... So sorry to hear of this loss and my condolences to Cheryl and indeed to all who love Bob. Bob's picture was just wonderful and brought joy to so many people! Thanks, Dr. Grumpy, for allowing us to join for a moment with Cheryl.

thegooddrlaura said...

Thank you, Dr. G, for sharing this. Thanks and condolences to Cheryl and the rest of Bob's family. Lucky for Bob, there are no potholes in heaven. He'll be able to park anywhere he wants.

student dr. blaze said...

I, too, loved the picture Bob sent in--so apt in times like these. Cheryl, I hope that as the sorrow of loss passes, you'll have many happy memories of your beloved to cherish.

 
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