Omnibus RIP Thread

Drove to Jasper yesterday to attend the wake of a long time friend. I forgot how beautiful Jasper really is. We knew each other for over 50 years. The closer I got to Jasper, the sadder I got, and the further away I got the less it hurt. Sat on a stump by the edge of a fast moving river near some rapids and smoked a fat one, recalling all the times we both sat there on stumps smoking a fat one.

He came to the attention of our group of friends when he attended school track meet races in rubber boots. His family was poor, and that was all he had. And he won! Because he refused to lose.

In recent years, he was a big part of the kayaking scene in Jasper, and worked as a life guard for Parks Canada for more than 25 years. The community staged a large kayak event from Moab lake to the area where the wake was held, over his favourite rapids in the park, in his honour. Many of the 'old crew' who grew up with him shared stories with the new group of friends who met him in the more recent years. It was a well attended event, with lots of libations and snacks.

Two weeks ago was his birthday. One week ago he got a gun, put it to his head and pulled the trigger. This was a surprise to many around him, and surprised no one who grew up with him. He had been telling us that he would do this one day, since he was in his teens. He has no children, as he had a vasectomy the day after he turned 18. He did not want his children to have the childhood he had, even by accident. He was a pretty extreme person, and hard not to like him because of his brutal honesty.

No one really understand the reasons he chose that day. I appreciate your condolences, but I don't really need them. I need you to hug your kids, your family, and the people who are close to you and let them know you are there for them if they need anything, without judgment.

R=EM

Doc you have my condolences anyway it’s hard losing a friend. They are after all the family you chose. I will hug the one kid at home and my grandson and remind them that I have their back no matter what. I will also remember to tell the other two kids the same.

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