The River passes
Hello readers and followers. We are now at the edge of January and February and it has been over a month since my last entry. There have been many times that I was ready to share with all of you but it just was not time. I have some vitriol that will be shared but now is not that time. You may recall that my great friend Gale, "Coach" died the week of Thanksgiving holiday here in the states. I met Gale by way of my best living friend Jeff. We were quite a crew of three. The Core 3. We were the core three of an ever changing group that would go to Central NY, fish, drink, poke, joke and have a good time for 15 years.
We used to pass the responsibility of planning the annual "big trip" as we called it amongst the three of us. Eventually, Jeff assumed responsibility for the planning some 6-7 years ago. Occasionally two of the three of us would meet, sometimes all three aside from the big trip. We didn't always agree but we agreed to disagree and be great friends....and we were. This past weekend, that ends today, was the chosen weekend for the annual trip. We were joined by two newcomers who were part of Gale's NY hunting and working contingent. I had met them after the funeral back in November.
Jeff, the great planner that he is for our group ensured that former colleagues of Gale's; Nate and Mike were included this year. Part of the trip was to ceremoniously place some of Gale's ashes into the river. Gale's brother Mike, whom I've actually know longer than Gale came to me on Saturday to tell me I was selected to do the ceremony. This was a high honor for a great friend. I am never lost for words--it's sometimes not the best to choose the "verbose friend."
Anyway, I did not want to make a long and timestaking presentation before we, and I emphasize "we" placed the ashes in the river. I hadn't given much thought as to what I might say and waded out to a spot that I thought would have been great for Gale to have fished. The brevity of the commentary seemed to leave everyone surprised- but appropriate words nonetheless.
The Answerman Said "Brother Gale brought us all to this river, today we return Gale to the river...(that brought us all together). eh!!! ( Ay!!!)"
Love you brother.
We used to pass the responsibility of planning the annual "big trip" as we called it amongst the three of us. Eventually, Jeff assumed responsibility for the planning some 6-7 years ago. Occasionally two of the three of us would meet, sometimes all three aside from the big trip. We didn't always agree but we agreed to disagree and be great friends....and we were. This past weekend, that ends today, was the chosen weekend for the annual trip. We were joined by two newcomers who were part of Gale's NY hunting and working contingent. I had met them after the funeral back in November.
Jeff, the great planner that he is for our group ensured that former colleagues of Gale's; Nate and Mike were included this year. Part of the trip was to ceremoniously place some of Gale's ashes into the river. Gale's brother Mike, whom I've actually know longer than Gale came to me on Saturday to tell me I was selected to do the ceremony. This was a high honor for a great friend. I am never lost for words--it's sometimes not the best to choose the "verbose friend."
Anyway, I did not want to make a long and timestaking presentation before we, and I emphasize "we" placed the ashes in the river. I hadn't given much thought as to what I might say and waded out to a spot that I thought would have been great for Gale to have fished. The brevity of the commentary seemed to leave everyone surprised- but appropriate words nonetheless.
The Answerman Said "Brother Gale brought us all to this river, today we return Gale to the river...(that brought us all together). eh!!! ( Ay!!!)"
Love you brother.
Comments
Post a Comment