Sunday, May 13, 2018
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My deepest condolences to the family, friends and to the rest of the troop.
Here’s a tribute to a magnificent man. The One and Only ...
Getting through a tedious or stressful shift at the hospital requires a certain skill set. If one day, you are just a tad bit short of a virtue, (like tolerance), the day would quickly veer south.
There was however, this amazing person who could change the humdrum of the day to cheerful pleasantries. He did it by way of a very subtle type of subliminal message that somehow got relayed. He wouldn’t say much, just an extra nod to convey his appreciation; a kind of “good job” endorsement, it really was just little nudge.
At the end of the day, sometimes he would say, “See you tomorrow?” in an inquiring tone as if he somehow knew that you were contemplating calling out sick tomorrow. If your response wasn’t affirmative, he would say something like, “Remind me to ask you about something tomorrow”. There was always a kind of mystique about him.
Tomorrow came, you showed up, but he had nothing important to ask you. If you insisted on knowing, he would make something up! Why did he do that? Who knows? But, never-mind that, his warm hot chocolate-like greeting of “good morning” would always suffice.
As he passed your work area (with his distinctive
“I’m about to topple over” kind-of stride) one would ask themself, “Can this day go smoothly; as even -keeled as this guy’s temperament?” Fat chance!
If you knew him, you learned something very valuable; like hiring a tutor to help your child keep an A in math. Why? Who knows? “Pay now or pay later” he would mumble casually. Odd logic, don’t ask, just follow his advice. He imparted so much about perseverance. He encouraged us to keep striving, and if we fell short, he’d suggest that we just try to maintain. He knew that only too well, he seemed to master coping after the loss of his older son. (I will miss calling him on July 18th as I did for many years).
If as a kid, you read the book “The One and Only Ivan” by Katherine Applegate, you may agree that he was like a silverback; well respected (without having to command it). Like Ivan, he too lived purposefully to protect and keep his troop together.
Like Ivan, he left life as he once knew it, to go to a better place.
He is forever our rock; solid to the core. We will always be his troop. He’s “The One an Only ... Keith”.
Thanks for all your teachings & kindness to me Keith. Until we meet again ...
Sandy Reese-Rigg
( troop member)