BS: Missing Persons

Subject: BS: Missing Persons
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 10:15 AM

This time of year is a convergence of many holidays, rituals and gatherings that bring back memories of those we've lost, whether it is Ramadan, Hannukah, Christmas, the Winter Solstice or New Year's Eve. It all starts out with Thanksgiving, for those of us who celebrate that holiday.

While we celebrate those around us who mean so much to our lives, we remember the "Missing Persons" whose memory lingers with us.

I miss my Father. That is a little bit of a surprise, because my Father and I didn't get along well for much of our lives. But, he lived to be 92, and we had many good years that live within me that far outweigh the bad ones. My Father was a hunter, a fisherman and a gone out of the house much of the time man. He never quite got the hang of being a Father, but he still left me with a lot. I remember one particular Christmas. I was a teenager back then, and my Father and I were often at each other's throats. It was always a challenge to know what to get my Father, because he didn't want anything. We ended up getting him chocolate covered cherries, wallets and rabbit fur-lined gloves to the point where he could have opened up his own store. The Christmas I remember so well, we bought him a new pair of hip boots. He'd used inner tube patches on his old rubber hip boots for so many years that they looked like they had leprosy, and every time he'd use them, they'd spring a new leak. So, we bought him a new pair of boots. When he opened the package, his eyes filled up with tears, and he started crying. My Father never cried, so it was very moving for all of us. Embarassed with himself, he had to leave the room until he stopped crying. I've never given a gift on any occasion since then that so moved the receiver.

Or the giver.

Who do you miss, these days?

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Partridge
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 11:29 AM

I miss my Mum. We had our bad times when I was little, but having grown up(sort of) I have an understanding of how hard her life had been. She had been ill for the last 15 years of her life and she was frustrated by it for most of the time, but it also made her quite selfish. She was hard company sometimes. And I must admit that sometimes I avoided her, I just couldn't face her.
The last time I saw her was a thursday morning I helped her eat her porridge and had to stroke her neck to help her to swallow. She had lipstick on her teeth and we had a laugh about it. She remembered my name and she told me she loved me. Then she lost it again and when I left she was confused. asI left I instincively knew I was not going to see her again.
On the following monday, I was going through the photo album and I saw pictures of a healthy happy Mum and I just said to no one in particular "If its too hard let go"
The next morning while at work I got a phone call to say Mum had had a massive stroke.
By the time I got home she had died. The strange thing was that both me and my two sisters had arranged to visit her that day(I from Yorkshire and another from Edinburgh)Its as if she knew we would be there to comfort my Dad.
I miss that unconditional love, no matter how much I cocked up she still loved me. I miss the perfume she wore and her macaroni cheese.
I miss my Mum.

Pat xxx

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Scooby Doo
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 01:30 PM

I also miss my mum,she died 15 years ago in January.We never saw eye to eye,but she never saw my son grow up and get to university.But i know she would say i told you so when i got divorced,she was never happy with me marrying so young to an older person.
So over this time i will think of all the people i have lost this year and especially my mum.

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Dead Horse
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 09:32 PM

I missed my first wife.
But I've had the sights fixed now...........

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Gypsy
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 10:07 PM

My mother has moved 3 states away, and i would dearly love to have her at holiday time once more. My godparents are both dead. Again, just one more holiday with them.......

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 10:13 PM

All the people in my life are dead, gone or missing. I will think of each over the Christmas period and ponder things. Not sad, just resigned.

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Rapparee
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 10:23 PM

My mother, who died in 1981. She never got to visit our house in South Bend or the one we're in now, never got to see her other seven grandchildren, nor her great-grandson. But her first granddaughter was born just about dead on nine months after she died...superstition? I don't know, but the kid is now working on a PhD in microbiology. I should also mention my father, who died in 1950, and my grandparents (1953, 1957, 1968, and 1973). And my friends Bob and Steve -- Bob died about five years ago, and Steve died last January; both of them were ultimately killed by cigarette smoking.

But then, I don't really believe any of these folks are really gone as long as they are remembered....

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Scoville
Date: 09 Dec 04 - 10:40 PM

My friend Britt, who died of cancer a year and a half ago. She was a one-of-a-kind.

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: open mike
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 12:05 AM

I have a memorial garden with chrysanthemums and an angel statue figure.
Many of these flowers were potted ones that came from memorial services.
These are a reminder of friends, neighbors and loved ones who have passed on. My friend Kathy, who died in a single car accident, while driving drunk, leaving 2 kids, and several animals as well as her "ex".
My neighbor's son and a woman who died in a similar vehicle "accident".
Another neighbor who died, presumably from heart troubles, who had jsut the week before recited a lovely poem at the memorial of the couple in the car wreck. Unfortunately, several of these deaths i was called to respond to as a fire fighter/EMT. I also have a garden of Columbine flowers planted in response to the school incident in Colorado. And I miss my parents, both of whom died around Easter in 2002. I have small urns of their ashes here with me....and a picture of them holding hands.
They were married for over 50 years.

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Skipjack K8
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 04:45 AM

You'll remember me, when the west wind blows............

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Dave Wynn
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 12:18 PM

I miss both parents and too many friends. This makes the friends and family I have left so special to me now. Keep having those birthdays everyone.

Spot the Dog

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Jerry Rasmussen
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 01:15 PM

You got the spirit, Spot. For every person we miss, we should rejoice in family and friends who are still here to share our lives with us. My Mom is going to be 98 soon. Her mind is still as clear as it was fifty years ago, and she is still a strength and encouragement to everyone in our family. Even though we only get to see her a couple of times a year, she is a very real presence in our lives. She will be missed greatly when she's gone, so we enjoy her (and tell her how much we love her) all the time.

Jerry

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Bill D
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 01:55 PM

I miss Little John Cameron, Walking Eagle, L.R. Mole,....and, of course, Rick Fielding...and several more from this forum...

being 65, there are FAR too many to name from my personal list.....

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Justa Picker
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 02:21 PM

RICK FIELDING

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: muppitz
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 06:54 PM

I am one of the fortunate few who don't have a 'missing person' as yet, however, a close friends Mum died of lung cancer last month so my thoughts will be with her and her family this year.

muppitz x

Subject: RE: BS: Missing Persons
From: Sorcha
Date: 10 Dec 04 - 07:28 PM

My parents, and our very good friend, Brent Grover, our daughter's Other Father who killed himself just 4 days after her 16th birthday. Someday I have to get over being angry with him for that.