A month ago I told our youngest daughter. “I have some sad news for you, your bestest friend in the whole world died.” She replied “Oh Chuck died… that is sad.”
Chuck was a thorn in her (teenage) side for two weeks every summer. He would come to the door and ask “Can Jenny come out to play?” When she hollered “NO” at him he would press his nose against the window of the piano room until she would draw the curtains and play piano so loudly she couldn’t hear him. He would walk away shaking his head saying “I don’t know how they put up with that racket.” He irritated her and she irritated him. When he would first show up for his time at the lake she would greet him by saying “Aren’t you dead yet?” He would answer her “No and is that anyway to talk to your bestest friend in the whole world.”
Chuck was from Indiana, he was a Deputy Sheriff and a Jailer…one time he even ran for Sheriff. He and his wife Ardith would vacation up here the last couple of weeks in August when it was the warmest in Indiana. Chuck fished everyday he could, Ardith sewed. Ardith was a banker and the church organist, they vacationed with children and grandchildren for one of the weeks and the other was usually their quiet time.
High on their list was going out for supper.
Chuck, Gene, Me, Ardith, Sue and Keith (Chucks brother)
The waitress took this photo at Y’s Steakhouse in September of 2000.
We found our way to Chuck and Ardith’s home in Indiana one Fall and had a wonderful visit with them. They had the cover on their pool and Chance thought it was just a blue tarp…and walked right out on it. Talk about a confused looking dog!
Sadly Ardith would suffer with large cancerous tumors in her abdomen that eventually took her life in 2011. Chuck was very lonely after Ardith died. He called a few times to talk and then the calls became fewer and fewer. He came up on vacation a few times but his last visit two years ago he didn’t even attempt to go fishing. Chuck joined Ardith in heaven on October 10 2015.
Chuck had a wonderful sense of humor and could tell stories for hours. Sometimes you didn’t know if he was pulling your leg or not. He used to kidnap Captain one of our Shelties, Captain could be found in their cottage quite often …for nap time and a snack.
Chuck and Ardith were good friends. It is sad that they are both gone…times change and people die. But it is still good to have friends that can make you smile long after they are gone.
I wrote about Chuck before Straight Lake: Legend of the Cap.
Sorry for your loss of a friend. You have some wonderful memories though.
ReplyDeleteGone but never forgotten . Sorry for your loss . They sounded like a wonderful couple of friends .
ReplyDeleteYou write the best descriptions of people, Connie. I am amazed at how you can do it with so few words. I feel like I know who they were from this post. Blue skies, Chuck. That's what skydivers say as a farewell. :-(
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful thought - and how true: "friends that make you smile long after they are gone.'
ReplyDeleteLovely memories and remembrance of your friend. Sorry for you loss.
ReplyDeleteVery nice memories to share with us this morning.
ReplyDeleteSome people are a big influence in your life. I'm sorry for your loss.
ReplyDeleteHe sounds like someone fun to be with. I just read "the legend of the cap". It's sad to lose old friends. Time flies, doesn't it!
ReplyDeleteWe made a lot of friends when we were up at Pokegama. My first wife and I were some of the youngest and now I would be a part of the old people left. I hear word once in a while of someone who was at a nursing home had passed. Lake life and everyday life are so different to be had.
ReplyDeleteAnother wonderful remeniscence of good friends. I love the story of Chuck's cap! What are the chances of it coming back to your dock???
ReplyDeleteHeaven has some great folks, doesn't it? Such a nice post about your friends.
ReplyDeleteI am sorry for your loss. This is a great tribute to your friends. They sound like wonderful people and a lot of fun to be with.
ReplyDeleteChuck must have been a real card. Good that you have such happy memories of him and also his wife. You're so right about times change and people die. Seems to happen more and more often as we age.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart! What a lovely post. I will say a prayer for Chuck and Ardith.
ReplyDeleteWhat a sweet remembrance of Chuck. He'll live on in his many stories, I'm sure, though it never quite is the same...
ReplyDeleteYes, I too love the way you ended this piece - Friends that can make you smile long after they are gone. What lovely memories.
ReplyDeleteYes! That's the best when you have had friends that can make you smile long after they are gone!! We're lucky to have people to miss. :) :)
ReplyDeleteYour words and fond memories of your friends brought tears to my eyes as they represent all of us losing people we love. They sounded like wonderful people and I wish I would have known them. If it makes me sad, I can just imagine how you feel.
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