| A Tribute to My Friends Dennis, You made each day something to look forward to at an otherwise boring job. You made me laugh so hard that at times I fell on the floor. We worked together like no other team. No one could believe how quickly and efficiently we warehoused inventory, unloaded trucks, and retrieved orders, all the while doing impersonations and making each other laugh. You had been all around the world. You were a Marine. You inspired us all. Even Mr. Greeble (the stone faced shift manager) could not help but laugh at your hillarous wit and antics. One day you came to work and you were really down. It wasn't just a lack of sleep. You were depressed because you were having marital problems. Your wife left you. One night you came over to my house. It was New Year's Eve. I was preparing to go out on the town with my girlfriend and some friends and their girlfriends. I asked you to come along. You said you didn't have anything to wear. I offered you some of my clothes. You said you didn't want to feel like a fifth wheel. You bought some crystal that night and went out in the woods behind Hayfield High School and slashed your wrists. I saw your car parked back there and called you all that week but you weren't home. Finally I called Mr. Greeble at work and asked him if he'd seen you. He told me where you were. You were dead. I was the last person to see you. You broke my heart when you cut your life short. I miss you like crazy. Don, You were my best friend. Once, before we'd really hung out together, we hated each other. Then one day we ended up at the same party. You were a hoot! One of the most comical people I ever met. We instantly bonded. We became inseparable. We formed The Farcists (me, you and Boomer). We built Ratzville, from the ground up, with yard statues (pink flamingoes, wood dwarves and jockey boys). We shared everything. We made memories that would last a lifetime. Stories that I tell my children, and one day hopefully, their children and their children's children. I joined the Navy a year after you did, even though you warned me not to. While in the Navy I became a born again Christian. You and I were stationed in the same town. I had your number and was going to give you a call. But I was busy being engaged and planning a wedding, I was busy with a new church that I attended, I was busy... You came home after being away at sea and found your wife living with another man. It was a shock to you. You went out and shot yourself. I saw your Mom years later and was horrified. She loved you so much. You were her only son. I watched her move like a lifeless zombie and go from the car to the house with your Dad following behind. I couldn't find the courage to say hi to her. I was afraid I would remind her of you. Why did you do that, Don? Didn't you know we loved you? Were we all too busy? Scott, You were the craziest guy in all of Hayfield High School. You were my idol. I modelled my life after you in many ways without even meaning to. No one was as cool as you. You were always popular where ever you went. Even in college you kept it going. I was very impressed by that. You never backed down from a fight. You were my hero. I tried calling you back in 1991. I had heard from a friend that you were running a business in Fredericksburg and I wanted to get your number so I called your Mom's house. She told me what happened. That you'd wrecked your car and died one year ago. It was the anniversary of your death. I think she was reliving it. I couldn't believe it. I muttered something about being sorry and hung up the phone. I miss you, Scott. My friends who have passed from my life, where has time taken you? O' Let it be life that takes you and not death. I pray that we meet again. Please don't let our freindship go completely. Please stay alive and come back now and then. I will try not to be too busy. And no, you will never be a fifth wheel. And please take good care of yourselves and drive safely. And, whatever you do, please pray to receive salvation and meet me in heaven some day. |