Terry was my boss. It seems like a long time ago. It was. It was 35 years ago. We worked together at a national association for printers.
Our friendship began then.
He had a way of turning worries into hopes and office blahs into happy occasions. Terry always stood out. Some people are like that – unforgettable.
If you met him only once you would remember and smile. And everyone around him wound up laughing and recognized there was a light that surrounded him. And you would remember his energy and his kindness.
As we worked together, he encouraged me to write for membership development and promotion. And then he plopped me into managing international meetings. These were big ego boosting callings for a housewife-just-returned-to-the-work-force. He introduced me to self confidence and it was like throwing a fearful swimmer into deep water and yelling from the sidelines, “You can do it!.” I thought I would drown but I didn’t.
After eight years, Terry decided to leave the association in favor of setting up his own consultancy. At his Farewell Party, I remember saying, “This is a sad day as we go our separate ways. We will probably never cross paths again.” And he answered, “Nope. I predict our friendship will last into old age.”
And he was right. Terry, his wife Barbie, and his daughter, Suzanne, stayed our close friends for the next 27 years!
They visited often and time rushed by through my son’s and their daughter’s growing up years. And even when my husband and I moved here to the Shenandoah Valley and Terry and his family remained in Washington, DC, they came to visit. We would all sit on the deck in the evenings sharing memories and laughter, or around the Christmas tree or the table.
We had a contest called “Who can give the worst gift?” Some of the offerings were hilarious. It began with the Ape swimming pool float I gave them. He named it Anna Banana, and went on from there. I remember the pink plastic flamingos they gave us to line the front walk.
The last time Terry and his sweet family were here was in late October 2012. He wanted to come again after that. But, Terry died April 10, 2013 and I have been trying to write about our 35 years of friendship ever since.
He was a dear friend.
When I think of him, I hear echoes of the song, Unforgettable.
Unforgettable, that’s what you are Terry, and you are sorely missed.
What a lovely tribute to a wonderful man who obviously left his stamp on your heart. My first boss was the she way and we also kept in contact long after I left that job I started at 18. He is also no longer with us, but I think of him often.
LikeLike
Good friends, great times together, mutual kindness and love…all inspire comfort…I’m so sorry for your loss. Take care, Dor.
LikeLike
With the way you always write so sincerely from the heart, I just knew you would give a truly beautiful tribute to your friend and mentor, Terry. I know you are in pain, but I think this post will start the healing process, so that you will eventually just smile when you think of your many fond memories and be ever so thankful that you had the privilege of knowing him and having him be such an important part of your life. I love how you included the pictures of Terry and his family because it allowed us to see what a fun and happy person he was. Sending you a biggggg hug. xoxoxo
LikeLike
My sympathy to you in the loss of your friend. I can understand why it took awhile to write such a lovely post in his memory.
LikeLike
You have written a beautiful tribute to your unforgettable friend. Hugs.
LikeLike
Dorothy – this is wonderful. I wish I had your ability to express myself. I am sure you will never stop missing Terry, but hopefully you will stay close to his family – in fact, I’m sure you will. I am really sorry for everyone’s loss of such a wonderful person.
On a lighter note your soup recipe looks intriguing, so I printed it out and will make it this summer.
Love ya, Julie
LikeLike
Friends like that are gifts.
LikeLike
Oh Dor. How you will miss your unforgettable friend but you do have all those wonderful memories of him to sustain you. Hugs
LikeLike
Then you know what I mean when I say “unforgettable.” Thanks! 🙂
LikeLike
Mom always said, “Losing people is the hardest part about growing older.” How right she was. Thanks Georgette.
LikeLike
Thanks Cindy! I don’t know why, but I’m almost speechless in response to your wonderful comment.
LikeLike
Thanks Dianna. You are right about why it took me so long to put something together about Terry. There are many more pages and many more memories to turn to for comfort.
LikeLike
Thanks Julie. You knew Terry and I’m sure you got a glimpse of how much fun he could be. And yes, we are as close to Barbie and Suzanne as we were to Terry and will always stay friends. In fact, Barbie mentioned coming here soon with Suzanne. I will be sure to bring them by to say hello. Suzanne will fall in love with the puppy. Love you too, Dor
LikeLike
Thank you Judith, and you area right about all the memories to sustain me.
LikeLike
A reminder for all: spend time with friends and family; build up those precious memories to look back on. Especially for us oldsters, this means a lot when we see classmates passing on and the number at our high school reunions getting fewer and fewer.
LikeLike
What a treasure you had in his friendship. So sorry for your loss, Dor. You’ve captured your friend’s essence really well with this post.
LikeLike
A friend who could make you laugh and feel a better person for it, what a wonderful person he was. No wonder you’ve struggle to write this, so many memories, but I’m glad you did Dor, we all need the hope a friend that will be as unforgettable as Terry.
LikeLike
Those kind of friendships are meat to the soul, and often few and far between. Sorry for your loss of such a friendship.
LikeLike
I’m sorry about the loss of your friend, Dor. Lovely post.
LikeLike
Awww, you’re welcome Dor. I hope I was able to help just a little bit :).
LikeLike
It sounds like you had a wonderful friend and a great friendship with a great family! I can truely undrstand why it took so long to write this wonderful tribute. I hope his wife and daughter read it. I am sure they will love it! And I hope that writing this tribute was not just painful but brought back wonderful memories as well!
LikeLike
Good advice Shofar!
LikeLike
Yes, “treasure” is the right word and thank you. I am glad I could somehow portray a very special friend.
LikeLike
Yes, laughter was the biggest part of my friend’s appeal, and because he could make serious situations funny, he was greatly loved. We were lucky to have him in our lives.
LikeLike
No doubt about it! You are a tonic. You and Mikey both are tonics.
LikeLike
Thanks for visiting my blog Kim, and for your lovely comment on my post about a lost friend. I have browsed around your blog now too and I am following you. Dor 🙂
LikeLike
How nice to have a lasting friendship like that. I know he will be missed.
LikeLike
A wonderful tribute to your friend Terry – and must mention you look stunning in the photos – slim, tanned, happy – great pictures!
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Thanks to another lifelong friend. We share memories all the way back to childhood! And thanks for the compliment Kit, but these were very old photos! 🙂
LikeLike
What a nice tribute!
The photo with him wearing the “awful hat gift” captures his wonderful personality. Looks like he had a great time living his life!
LikeLike
Yes, you are right Mary. I believe he had a great time living and he spread that joy around.
LikeLike