Not my fault (update)

There had been something on my mind for a bit so I thought I would take a few moments to wish a dear family friend well. I picked up the phone and dialed N.Y. to talk to Mr. O's wife R. I finally got a hold of her at 9 pm. They had just transferred Mr O to a Catholic Hospice Hospital. He is not doing well but R said she felt good about where he was because of the religious atmosphere. M had seen him in July on their trip home but as I stayed in Michigan with E, I didn't and I am sad to say I may never see him again.

I have only known the O's since of course meeting M, but from the moment you meet them, you are instantly family. That is a nice feeling and I am sure M knows that she had something special growing up next door to a great family.

I recall the July after M's father passed, I saw Mr O outside wrestling with and old mail box post so I figured I'd give him a hand. With a sledge, a shovel and a pry bar, we managed to break the surrounding cement to release the post. It didn't take too much time but the day was hot so I may have broken a sweat. Well, I understand from M's stories that Mr O didn't need much of an excuse to celebrate so he asked if I could use a beer. "Sure, I might have just one." After all, it was almost 11:30 am so we were legal... He took me in to his house and showed me his wonderful little work shop which made me drool (I have a garage in serious need of some cleaning). Well, we talked and drank and looked over his projects for some time then a ring came at the front door. It was M wondering where I might have gone. She acted worried but I think she knew I hadn't gone far and that I was in good hands. After all, she had been inside with GMa P sorting and cleaning so I thought I was safe for a bit. Ok, so we had more than one, it was German Beer and down right tasty!

Not my fault, I was just being a good neighbor...

If I had the time, I could have stayed much longer to talk (and drink) but we had stuff to do. As always you never know what the future holds, I will pray for Mr O and the rest of his family and when the time comes, go buy some good expensive beer and have a toast to Mr O