[Leica] My friend J.E.

[pklein at 2alpha.net (Peter Klein)]

Sonny:  So sorry about your friend.  I know how you feel--I had to say 
goodbye to one of my dearest friends just over a year ago.  And in the 
months leading up to his passing, to keep his illness a secret, because 
that's what he and his wife wanted.

We're still looking in on his wife frequently, along with several other 
people who we've dubbed "The Usual Suspects."  I have a feeling you'll be 
doing the same thing.

My deepest sympathies, and hang in there.  Celebrating the sweet times and 
sweetening the bitter times is what friendship is all about.

--Peter

At 02:20 AM 1/2/05 -0500, you wrote:
>Subject: My friend J.E.
>
>Sometimes people say I live a charmed life here in Natchitoches . . . lots
>of nice people, things happening.  One of the people who has been such a 
>part
>of the charm for me is J.E.
>
>I met him when he asked one of my friends from college to get married.  He
>and Cecilia had a wonderful marriage; it was a perfect match that came along
>late, but just in time.
>
>  He  retired from a medical career and they traveled, spent time on their
>Texas ranch, grew vegetables, canned jelly; and held get-togethers with food
>and music at their home on the Cane River.
>
>We were often a part of that, and a look through my website, you'll find
>lots of shots and connections with them.
>
>J.E has been ill, and spending more time on the ranch to get rest. Recently
>there was a turn for the worse, and they came back to town.
>
>Yesterday I went to see him, and he was sitting up, but heavily sedated
>because of a great deal of pain.  I sat beside him, and took his hand, and
>told him I was there.  He opened his eyes, looked up smiled, and said 
>"Hi!"  I wish I
>could type the sound of joy in his voice.  We sat there for a while, holding
>hands. He kept squeezing my hand almost like a code.  I knew he needed to
>rest, so I told him goodbye, hugged him and promised to return.
>
>Cecilia called just a few minutes ago.  He passed away in his sleep today.