There's a hole...
Twenty-five plus years...a quarter of his life, a bit under half of mine...long, excited journies to get there before the day's discoveries revealed themselves. Knowing they would be very long, tiring days and excited, eager to begin each one. Excited, knowing not only would I see new things never even dreamed of elsewhere, but learn things, simple things, remarkable things, quiet things, things which frequently made me nearly shout for excitement and joy. Seeing things, new things, known and familiar things, but most often...different...different because they were being seen with new eyes, more educated eyes, evolved eyes, led, taught, encouraged by those already well versed with what we observed, studied, enjoyed and shared. Brought along for the ride, excited ride, fun and laughing ride, wonderfully fun and exciting for me, and, to my amazement, the development and training were as much for his fun and excitement as he was the consummate "enabler". The perfect seed planter, sharing, scattering anywhere they may find fertile soil, whether germinated or not, pure joy in the planting. A playmate created.
Excitement, joy, always companioned each visit, sometimes hot and dry, others colder and wet, didn't matter, always new things to see, discover, learn, always excitement, always good friendship, sharing...joy. Familiar things became old friends, always a necessary stop to check up on them. No matter how hot or cold or wet or windy, no matter how endless the day seemed because of fatigue or length, never wanting them to end, still too much to see, do, learn, share and laugh over.
Twenty-five plus years, always the same laughing blue eyes, always the same "Christmas morning grin", always the same firm handshake from the same huge hand. Lingering handshake, lingering for emphasis of the joy of sharing, learning, exploring and discovering.. anticipated. Grown men suddenly transformed into boys, playmates off on the hunt, exploration, always something new to find, no matter how familiar, always new and fresh.
Though recent years brought changes...in mobility, memory, strength, endurance...the laughing blue eyes, "Christmas morning grin" and lingering hand shake from the same huge hand never waivered. Their legacy remaining...new eyes, new appreciation, understanding, seeing beyond the obvious and a continual "what if", as if it ever could be answered.
Now...there's a hole...
Kim Rupert
Photo: Mr. Moore with his birthday cake and granddaughter. Photo courtesy of Linda Burg.
