In a Wink

Joe:
Thanks for the Memories

There's a hole in the world tonight.
There's a Cloud of fear and sorrow.
There's a hole in the world tonight.
Don't let there be a hole in the world tomorrow.

Whole in the World by The Eagles

Our friend Joe left us late Wednesday evening  to join his wife Ginny.  He died peacefully at home "with his eyes closed and his heart wide open."  He was surrounded by those that loved him and those whom he loved.

Joe was a crooner and a romantic gentleman who at 93 could still sweep ladies off their feet.  He knew exactly what to say and had vaudevillian timing.  So Joe, we would like to sing with you and say:  "Thanks for the memories."

For those of us who knew Joe, we know this to be true;  Joe embraced life, like lovers embrace each other.  He held on to her and cherished the long embrace.  He had no quarrels with his life, it was good and it was always getting better.  "Boy this is living", he would say.  Followed by, "I wonder what the poor people are doing."

My wife, Kim, and my daughter, Justin got to see Joe one last time the evening before he died.  I was away in Las Vegas.  Kim told me that although he appeared to go in and out of consciousness, he heard her  voice and Justin's voice and winked at them.  It was his last flirtation in this life.  It was also a signal for all of us.  It's going to be ok.  Joe in his own way told us so.

Love endures and we will keep Joe's love and memory alive in our hearts.  I would be remiss however to say that there's going to be a tremendous whole in the world tonight.  We will miss our Sunday breakfast buddy.  We will miss his loving voice and his heart warming smile.  Thank you Joe so much for touching our lives and enriching them with your love.