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OLDMDDEM

(1,572 posts)
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 08:51 AM Oct 2021

I need to say this

Last Wednesday, a very dear close friend of mine died. He was 77 years old. When I couldn't reach him for our Thursday call, Something was wrong. I tried calling him again on Friday, but the call went to voice mail. So I called his brother. I couldn't reach him but left a message. He called Saturday with the bad news.

Les and I have been friends for many years. He lived right across the street from us until his move to Florida several years ago. The week after dad died in 2010, he and I went for a walk after work. It was in the 90s and a typical humid Maryland June day. We walked up three blocks and turned right to walk down the street. We made it maybe 100 feet up the street when I couldn't walk anymore. I was stuck. I was talking gibberish and he sat me down on the curb and ran home to get his car to drive me back home. He got back to me, gave me a couple of aspirin, and took me home. My wife immediately called for an ambulance. The rest is history. I had a stoke the size of a golf ball.

I was lucky that day in more than one way. I lived thru this and had little impairment from the stroke. Les did what he needed to do to help me get home to get help.

He was my hero. Without him being there at that time, I might not be here today. Sounds dramatic, I know, but it's true. When he moved to Florida, we talked on the phone every week for an hour or so. We solved all the world's problems and felt satisfied to find out what else needed to be solved during the week for our next conversation.

I will miss him as he was a very dear friend. I will never forget him.

RIP, Les.

60 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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I need to say this (Original Post) OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 OP
A very heavy loss. I am so sorry for it. marble falls Oct 2021 #1
Sorry for the loss of someone so important to you. lark Oct 2021 #2
I'm so sorry for the loss of your friend Rorey Oct 2021 #3
So very sorry for your loss... Trueblue Texan Oct 2021 #4
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #8
A friend who saves your life is pretty special mountain grammy Oct 2021 #5
My condolences to you, you have written a nice tribute to your friend. ShazamIam Oct 2021 #6
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #7
Sorry to hear of your loss, but glad you had such a great friend. woodsprite Oct 2021 #9
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #10
I am so sorry. murielm99 Oct 2021 #11
So sorry 70sEraVet Oct 2021 #12
This is a beautiful story in so many ways. You were blessed to have him as a friend. secondwind Oct 2021 #13
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #14
I agree OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #15
So very sorry snowybirdie Oct 2021 #16
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #17
Deepest condolences. sinkingfeeling Oct 2021 #18
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #20
This is not to disparage Les, but for others who might experience similar events with a companion. 3Hotdogs Oct 2021 #19
I know what you are saying. OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #21
Sorry for your loss ybbor Oct 2021 #22
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #23
So sorry for your loss, friends are like family. nt SheilaAnn Oct 2021 #24
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #25
Condolences sarge43 Oct 2021 #26
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #28
It's so hard to lose a friend Ohioboy Oct 2021 #27
Very hard to lose a friend. nt OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #29
A true friend indeed. MLAA Oct 2021 #30
Condolances beemerphill Oct 2021 #31
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #32
I am so very sorry for the loss of your dear friend. May his memory always bring niyad Oct 2021 #33
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #34
My condolences.......nt Heartstrings Oct 2021 #35
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #36
I'm so sorry for your loss. What a beautiful tribute to your friend. yardwork Oct 2021 #37
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #38
You have treasured memories of a dear friend - quite the keepsake. NoMoreRepugs Oct 2021 #39
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #40
I'm so sorry you've lost your dear friend. femmedem Oct 2021 #41
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #42
So Sad. Blessings to you. marieo1 Oct 2021 #43
So very sorry, OLDMDDEM Granny M Oct 2021 #44
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #45
So sorry for your loss OLDMDDEM. momta Oct 2021 #46
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #47
A beautiful and heartfelt tribute to a special friend. virgdem Oct 2021 #48
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #49
Lovely friendship. Joinfortmill Oct 2021 #50
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #51
Hugs to you and to his family lunatica Oct 2021 #52
Thank you OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #53
Sorry for your loss... BadGimp Oct 2021 #54
To Les denbot Oct 2021 #55
Excellent OLDMDDEM Oct 2021 #56
I'm so sorry for your loss. LiberalLoner Oct 2021 #57
Everyone in the world needs a friendship like this. So sorry your buddy japple Oct 2021 #58
It is very, very hard to lose a dear friend. I know. PatrickforB Oct 2021 #59
You were lucky to have him as long as you did... dchill Oct 2021 #60

lark

(23,094 posts)
2. Sorry for the loss of someone so important to you.
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 09:05 AM
Oct 2021

So glad he was around to help you when you needed it.

Trueblue Texan

(2,426 posts)
4. So very sorry for your loss...
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 09:07 AM
Oct 2021

Blessed you are to have such a close friendship. I know you will miss him. Peace and healing to you.

woodsprite

(11,911 posts)
9. Sorry to hear of your loss, but glad you had such a great friend.
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 09:12 AM
Oct 2021

So many people go through their entire lives without having such a friendship.

3Hotdogs

(12,374 posts)
19. This is not to disparage Les, but for others who might experience similar events with a companion.
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 09:34 AM
Oct 2021

Len did not do what he needed to do. He should have IMMEDIATELY called 911.


And I'm sorry for your loss. I'm sure he was a good man.

beemerphill

(460 posts)
31. Condolances
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 10:17 AM
Oct 2021

Les is the kind of person that we all want as friend. You are fortunate to have had him in your life for so long.

femmedem

(8,201 posts)
41. I'm so sorry you've lost your dear friend.
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 11:33 AM
Oct 2021

I don't know you or him but your tribute made me tear up. My heart aches for you.

And thank you for sharing this memory. May it inspire all of us to be as good and caring as Les, and as you.

marieo1

(1,402 posts)
43. So Sad. Blessings to you.
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 11:40 AM
Oct 2021

I lost a very dear friend, too. I will never forget the good times we had together. We went to Mardi Gras, MN State Fair, Renaissance Festival and we talked every week or so. She moved near the cities to be near her son and eventually she passed away. I miss the good conversations and life experiences we shared. RIP, dear Betty.

momta

(4,079 posts)
46. So sorry for your loss OLDMDDEM.
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 12:15 PM
Oct 2021

I know how how a loss like that leaves a hole in your heart. Take care.

lunatica

(53,410 posts)
52. Hugs to you and to his family
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 04:15 PM
Oct 2021

High caliber friends like him are hard to come by. Your story made me cry!

japple

(9,822 posts)
58. Everyone in the world needs a friendship like this. So sorry your buddy
Mon Oct 11, 2021, 07:37 PM
Oct 2021

has left the earthly plane. You were both lucky to have had each other.

PatrickforB

(14,570 posts)
59. It is very, very hard to lose a dear friend. I know.
Tue Oct 12, 2021, 12:28 AM
Oct 2021

May Les rest in peace, surrounded by the light of the Divine.

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