The last post and a comment I made started me thinking about my friend Ronnie. He was one of my friends from childhood. I was fortunate to have two best buddies during my childhood. The first was Mark, I talked about him in the post The Biggest Fish Ever. My other best buddy was Ronnie.
Ronnie was unique in that he was born with a speech impediment. He was smart but sometimes he was hard to understand. Naturally growing up like that made him the butt end of a lot of cruel jokes from the bullies. I can tell you this, not while I was around. There is nothing that would piss me off faster. Ronnie only lived about a mile from my house so it was natural that we were friends at home as well as school.
You know, I can see where this post is going so I am just going to stop the narration. Suffice it to say that Ronnie was a true friend. The type of person that would literally give you the shirt off his back asking for nothing in return. In a couple of posts I mention being homeless a few years ago. Well right before that I was helping to take care of Ronnie. He was swiftly dying of cancer. I felt so bad for him. If there ever was an injustice that was it.
Ronnie died from cancer Dec 23, 2004 at the young age of 42.
I have a lot of good stories that stretch back through the years that Ronnie was a big part of. I think I’m going to tell those stories because friends should be remembered.
Tomorrow’s post is going to be one of those stories. The title… There Goes My Truck!!!
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July 31st, 2007 at 4:14 am
You keep him alive through your memories..your love for him and your dedication to him as a friend even after he’s past. There are many who believe and I am one as well…is those memories of those who have past that bring a smile to your face, a laugh out loud or just a good feeling….is simply them letting you know they are never to far from you.
July 31st, 2007 at 11:04 am
I believe that as well Morgan, up until this point it had just been pretty painful remembering… but now I can look back on my old buddy, think of some of the crazy things we did and just smile.
July 31st, 2007 at 1:06 pm
It sounds like you guys had a great friendship. I sometimes think that the people who’ve known us longest are the people who know us best.
July 31st, 2007 at 2:03 pm
We did have a great friendship… I can’t ever remember us arguing over anything. I agree completely with the last part of your comment as well Kristine.