Losing a friend - Wayne Cribbs

rick-in-seattle · #11 05-29-2007, 09:51 PM

I attended the memorial Monday the 28th.
I have always been disappointed by memorials; to me, they do not fully recognize the attributes of an individual.

Friends and family speak of how "he was a good man" but have you ever attended a memorial where "he was not a good man"?

Then everyone hugs the widow and goes their separate ways.

I believe 70+ years of life should somehow be recognized by more than a two hour brunch.

Perhaps I need to plan my own memorial so it is not so prepackaged and plain. Something surprising like a thank you card from me to each person in attendence.

I heard once of a John Doe who was lying in state within a church in Italy.
A young lady knelt before the coffin and prayed for the unknown individual.
The preist informed her that the person she had prayed for had one request.
That the first person who offered prayer on his behalf should receive his estate; which was substantial.

True story? I don't really know, but I found it interesting.

tnartist05 · #12 05-30-2007, 08:04 AM

I kind of belive like you on this matter but too,if someone does so much in life helping others during his life,maybe the people hes touched in life will be thinking of him more in their daily life than just a hr or so onces hes gone,like the ones who shows up for a hr or so during a memorial.We all miss our love ones and friends is why I try to love & learn as much as I CAN FROM THEM BEFORE THEY ARE GONE!

I have buried every member of my family,father,mother my brother when he was killed @ 20yrs old in Vnam,all grandparents & several close friends. Im 59 yrs old this summer but have 3 older children,one son 2 daughters,my son is the last one to carry on my family name.

mwilleson · #13 05-30-2007, 08:30 AM

Sorry for your loss Rick. Our prayers are with Wayne's family and you.

makenchips · #14 05-30-2007, 11:21 PM

I too am sorry to hear of your loss. True friends are very hard to come by these days if at all. Why not do a special carving in honor of him? Somthing that when you look at it will remind you of him and some of the time you had spent together. Just a thought.

santagibbs · #15 06-02-2007, 08:42 PM

Rick, I just read this thread and am sorry to hear of your loss. I think the idea of a carving as a memorial to him is a great thing also .. A few days before Curtis passed away, our Grandson Jacob came to him with a big piece of basswood and said.." Big Daddy, I am going to carve you with your arm around a Santa." I looked at Curtis with a " get out of here." look but Curtis said to him." you can do it Jacob." Curtis never got to see it and Jacob had never carved anything but this very siimple Santa before.. He brought the carving to me a good while after Curtis passed away and I couldn't believe it but he had carved him with his arm around this Santa like he always carved but the man had a profile like Curtis..He said, Mom, I could feel Big Daddy wih me the whole time I was carving telling me how to do this and that.. He took it to an engraver and he had his picture put on the base with a wonderful inscription..I cherish it so very much..I am going to see if I can post it on here.. Hang on to the promise of one day you will see him again.. Charlotte

santagibbs · #16 06-02-2007, 08:44 PM

I hope this will work..Charlotte

snickerbocker · #17 06-06-2007, 01:55 PM

Dear Rick,
We are sorry to hear of your loss and will keep you in our prayers.
I want everyone to party when I go, a celebration if you will, I will be going to a much better place and it should be celebrated. You are right about being blessed to know someone so special.

Bob_in_TN · #18 06-12-2007, 06:56 PM

I received this from a friend some time ago and pull it out every few days, just as a reminder to have fun.

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand-strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming, "WOO HOO, what a ride"!

GeorgiaCarver · #19 06-12-2007, 08:35 PM

Rick, I too am sorry to learn of your loss. Loosing a friend is never easy, and you are right, most of us are too busy to stop and remember. I think it is really cool that you are willing to ponder your response to the loss of a friend. You are and were a true friend indeed! To be so lucky in life, now that is something to hope for, One true friend.

Greg