Dear Jimmy

It seems odd to me to pull into the Food Lion parking lot and know that I won’t be seeing your smiling face any more. I have known you for most of your life, from the times when my boys stayed with your mom and you and Andrew were both in diapers. It seems an eternity now; and I can only wish it were another eternity and an eternity yet to come.

Over the years I have watched you grow into an interesting man. Who would have expected you to be so independent and determined? Certainly not me, but I think Andrew and Craig both knew about the Jimmy few of us saw. Despite the years and the changes that came over the three of you, you had managed to remain best friends. Time could go by and eventually your paths would cross and it would seem like old times were here again. It wasn’t an unusual site for me to come home from work with you and Cerb, and Craig, and Andrew sitting in the living room or on the screen porch.

What I wouldn’t give for that scene to resolve out of my misted eyes and pained heart. As you know, I was proud of you for sticking to your guns, literally, and standing your ground when it seemed the world had turned against you. I knew you were onto something then and wished you luck. 

We need to spend more with our friends before the unthinkable happens. I spoke with your brother John Wednesday and told him that I drive past your house every day when I come home from work, and I wave as I pass by as if somehow your parents know I am there or feel the warmth and pleasure of my fluttering hand.

But now I know it just isn’t so. I need to stop the car once in a while and make sure they see me and that I see them. Too long have I tunneled my way back and forth on Roslyn Ave as if I needed to beat a path home and nothing else mattered. Now I know it’s the wrong approach, too late, but not too too late to fix.

Go in peace, Jimbo. Know that we love you and will hold you in our hearts and minds forever. The time we spent with you may have been shorter than it ought to have been, but we can find you in our memories and in our happy moments recalling different Jimbo stories over the years. Know that I will miss you, as I know Geordie, Andrew and Craig are all missing you now. Go in peace, friend, and may the love and warmth of those left behind warm you.

With all my love,

David