It was important for me to receive so many emails today from friends to help my inner feelings. I am at a mental low today. Getting these emails from friends and family is a real life preserver.
I received a call today from friends in Alaska. They are about 45 or so. Worked with him for years and respected his ability to handle equipment. He in turn thought the same of me. Not many ever hands let me know that they appreciated my abilities so we became mutual admirer’s. He always smiled when he saw me coming onto the job site with my tractor and trailer. He told me once that my skills were over looked. Hey, why wouldn’t I like this guy. Seriously, it was good to work with someone that appreciated what you did for them to make their job easier.
Today I received a call from his wife, Shelly. John had contracted cancer sometime in 07. We had been in communication with each other periodically. I called a couple of times while they were out. I knew that they were doing something important so thought nothing of the return call left unanswered. Both of us were sick and fighting cancer. John and I had a special bond for we were both blessed with a child after almost giving up on that particular possibility for a myriad of reasons.
It was a good story until today. Shelly, John Mills wife, called me today to inform me that John had passed away on November 3, 2009 in Oklahoma City at a cancer treatment facility. She spoke well of the facility and staff. She that John was a trooper right up until the end.
He fought hard and still lost. I don’t fight at all and I keep getting better. He leaves a wife of twenty years and a five or six year old daughter. I am sad for their loss. Yet I am humbled that this family would consider me in their hour of grief. I hate it and I love it. I need to get some help to get a grip. I cannot say that we were close but I can say that he respected me as I did him. He was good man. Take a moment to remember this man as my friend, for he was…. in construction terms ..”A Real Hand” and I hope someday someone will say the same for me. May he rest in peace.
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