My daughter and I just learned that we've lost a dear friend.
Terry was one of the dear people that I've befriended over the past few years at the coffee village I scooter to several times a month.
(Terry is the only other C.O. I've met since leaving the service. As a Mennonite Terry did "national service" work in Chicago with disadvantaged youngsters - being paid $10 a month, with room and board.)
Terry never took more than he needed, and was a tireless community worker, activist and environmentalist.
His passing was a shock - since he seemed crazy fit for a man his age. He biked to town every day for a cup of tea at the Emporium - then hauled restaurant scraps to the 'free' community garden for composting.
But prostate cancer took him very quickly.
Exactly one year ago I lost another close person.
Fortunately, we'd patted him on the shoulder and told him to take care on our last exchange a couple of weeks ago.
Some of us are no longer under warranty - and neither our of friends. So, maybe take a moment to give 'em a smile and a handshake.
Stig
My daughter wanted a pic with him for her highschool yearbook.
