Thursday, December 11, 2014

Friday 55 & Da Count-RIP G-man


FRIDAY 55X2  
(Two because sometimes it's necessary)


You are loyalty and kindness personified, a devoted dad, a fabulous cook, an avid fisherman, the kickass host of Friday 55, Mr Knowitall in the best sense, a lover of all things Michigan and Harley Davidson, the glue in any circle of friends, the love who helped his friends smile in the darkest of times.

I was honored by your friendship, blessed by your kindness, cheered by your humor, encouraged by your patience, exhorted by your gentle wisdom. I already miss your laugh and the way you said my nickname.  I'll never forget your smile, your eyes, or your hug.  Rest in peace, ride on in glory. Love, Trini.




DA COUNT
 I cannot believe he is gone.  I am gutted.  We first became acquainted when he began blogging and I commented in a case of mistaken identity.  I thought he was someone else I knew and had finally started a blog.  We emailed back and forth a couple times before I realized I was totally mistaken.  It could have been completely awkward but Galen thought it was hilarious and was so gracious.  We became fast friends....for real.  We had fun trading trivia.  He tried to trip me up on cultural references from his own childhood and was surprised that I could keep up.  He said I was an old soul and he forgot to grow up was why we got along so well in spite of the age difference.  

We talked about how much fun it would be to meet but never much thought it might happen since I had no cause to go to Michigan and he had no cause to come to Pennsylvania.  In 2007 I went to Texas for a wedding and noticed several of the flights had layovers in Detroit.  I thought, "Hey, this could happen!"  Respective work schedules conspired against being able to spend a day or two there but I planned a layover of several hours when Galen and Signgurl said they could manage to get to Metro for a quick visit.  Bonus!  I'd get to meet both of them.  They brought Roxi Moon and Frogger along for the ride.  The four of us had a little party in some area where non-passengers could go and where I wouldn't have to go through security again.  Signgurl had awesome food for us as we all chatted away.  Galen sat there grinning ear to ear the whole time.  When it was time to go he wrapped me up in the biggest hug of my life.  Somewhere there is a picture of that moment but sadly I can't find it.

We shared confidences.  I was honored that he'd trust me with some of his deep hurts.  I was blessed that he helped me bear some of mine.  He certainly helped me endure the year Calypso was sick.  He always wanted to know how my kids were and often talked of his own.  He'd share about his lifelong friends and his concerns for them.  He  didn't describe himself as such but I could tell he was the driving force behind a lot of social activity whether it was among friends, family, or coworkers. He was a big clown but he was also incredibly intelligent.  He was just too humble to toot his own horn though he'd be happy to fart the alphabet for you if you asked. He had purchased a fishing cabin within the last year and since giving up season tickets for U of Michigan had taken great joy in spending weekends there with friends or his son.  He told me a few times that retirement was beginning to look attractive.  I knew he loved his job and worked hard at it.  I also knew he was deserving of some leisure after his own terrifying health scare a couple years ago and a lifetime of hard work.  I anticipated a happy retirement for him spent fishing and riding his Harley.  Sadly, his great big heart gave out at work this week.  What I wouldn't give for it to still beat strong in his chest and to share another hug.

G-man, I am so grateful you were my friend.  Rest in well-earned peace, ride on in glory.  Love you always, Trini.

14 comments:

joeh said...

I love making new friends through this blog thing, the sad part is when we lose some of those friends.

So sorry for your loss

Craig said...

Oh, no. . .

I never had the pleasure of meeting Galen, even though I'm sure I passed within a short distance of wherever he was every day. I always hoped that some day, we could get together for a cup of coffee, or a burger, or whatever. His blog posts were some of the most fascinating ones around. . .

Requiescat in Pace, G. . .

stephen Hayes said...

Galen sounds like quite a guy. Sorry I didn't get an opportunity to meet him or read his blog.

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

What the Chatterbox said.
So sorry for you loss.

Jocelyn said...

It is shocking, in a very particular way, when a blogging or online friend dies. Somehow, the processing is different, like we didn't necessarily see this person all the time, yet his/her voice is deeper within us than that of some people we see every day.

Even from my "I didn't know him" distance here, I have read and enjoyed G-Man's comments on blogs--yours--for years now. Truly, this is just so sad, all the sadder for you who loved him wholey. I'm so sorry.

Jillie said...

I regret ever leaving blogging and going to Facebook because it was there that I met him and ALL of you! I kept in better contact with him until the past few months. Life got in the way and now I'm kicking myself for not calling him back. Internal guilt we all struggle with at one time or another. I want to write a 55 but as soon as I get to the computer, my mind goes blank. Great post on him and what a GREAT man he WAS!

Hilary said...

I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend, M. I know what it's like to feel so close to our bloggie people and especially those we've also had the pleasure of meeting. You wrote a beautiful tribute to honour him. I'm so sorry that you hurt.

Secret Agent Woman said...

I've lost a couple of close blogging friends and I know how tough it is. That's very sad and I'm sorry to hear it.

Suldog said...

It sucks, doesn't it? As always, as Christians, when someone we love goes, we grieve for ourselves but know the other is in a better place. It still hurts, of course.

My sincerest condolences on your loss.

Bijoux said...

I also enjoyed his comments on your blog. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing.

Tim VanSant Writes said...

How lucky you are to have met him in person. I'll miss his comments on your blog. So sorry for your loss.

S said...

We will all miss our gman.

Mona said...

I miss him terribly too :( ...

Unknown said...

You wrote a beautiful tribute to honour him. I'm so sorry that you hurt.


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