Rick

So sorry about your most recent loss and the huge void with Larry gone. We miss him too. A warm and wonderful man.

Rick, I'm so sorry to hear about your brother, too much loss for such a hopeful time of year.

I know Larry will still be very much with you on your birthday, but that's not the same as drinking mai tai's on the beach together. In matching flowered swim shorts.

The void left by Larry must be difficult to bear.

Well, Rick, Today is your Birthday. All the best wishes for your Birthday----You may as well enjoy it as long as you are on earth, there are 2 other people that I know who are celebrating their Birthdays on the same day like you, my cousin who is in Heidelberg & a Moslem friend, who I thought is fasting during Ramadan, but instead she is with her small family enjoying themselves in a fancy for members only resort with her special partner (who is member of whatever it is) and her 3 children, one with her boyfriend. going to all the sightseeing in Cancun--my B-day wishes on her fb looks ridiculous ---anyway---I am so sorry that so close to your birthday you lost your brother, it reminded me that my father passed away 2 days before my birthday, and I could not go back to Indonesia because of the commitment that I already had-here---, I wanted to go to Indonesia in April when he became 90 years old, but they told me not to, since the situation in Jakarta was not good. We all have to leave when the time comes that our job on earth has been finished-and we could go HOME. That was what my father said before he died, that he was going HOME. The car that was going to pick him up was coming, it was no. 3, and a another car was blocking the street, it needed to be moved. And sure enough, after he died, the car from the funeral home was no. 3, and a car was blocking the street-So that really helped me a lot after he passed away---that he was going HOME. After both my parents are gone, I felt like a tree without roots....a sister is different than parents---Where ever my parents lived, it was also my home, I will be always welcome to come any time-(I can also always go to my sister and her husband, but somehow it is different). Hopefully this helps you Rick, I also still miss my parents, I always used to call my Mom, when I wanted to ask about a recipe----but we all have to live ----MOVE ON, as Prince Philip said---he certainly had a very difficult life before he married Princess Elizabeth, he did not even have a home address. But he moved on and became the spouse and supporter of the most famous woman-So lets celebrate that Larry is Home now, he will be waiting for you when your time comes, to be with him, but I think it will make him sad to see you sad. So Rick, enjoy your birthday!

@RickM You share a birthday with my son. Happy Birthday late

Rick - I'm so sorry!! Loss is so difficult to begin with but multiple losses around the same time…that's got to be a lot - gentle hugs!!

Not specifically related to Larry...

I just learned that a friend of 40 years passed away on Tuesday, 21-Nov.

I first met Richard O'Bryan when I was teaching skydiving up in Pennsylvania. While detail oriented (kind of crucial in skydiving) he could be just a wee bit irreverent, thus earning his self-proclaimed nickname of Irish Pig.

He, his wife Karen and I became fast friends. Richard was a friends friend. He was always there when I needed to talk to someone, regardless of the topic.

Richard retired from teaching more than a decade ago. His former students always stayed in touch. As a retired Marine officer, Richard had the ability to motivate people without being a hard ass or jerk. His friendship was second only to my love for Larry.

The two of them did get a chance to meet briefly by chance. We were headed up 270 to Frederick when I saw him on the road beside us! We pulled off at the 'scenic overlook' and had a quick meet and greet.

Richard had many health problems that never seemed to improve. I know now that he is pain free and in a much better place.

May you rest in eternal peace, my Friend.

Touching story Rick. And what a nickname!

It is sad that the world has lost another great person, but good to remember this world does contain great people.

Thank you for sharing the fond memories of your good friend. So sorry for another significant loss.

Sounds like an amazing human, Rick!!!

I finally figured out the worst part of getting old...

Some would say its about the aches and pains. Things hurting that your didn't even know you had.
Others might say that the loss of memory or sight are the worst.
And others would argue that its all about your failing health in general.
All of those things are very true. Bluntly put, getting old sucks

In truth, the absolute worst part of getting old is the loss of your friends and contemporaries. It doesn't take long to realize that your circle of life is growing smaller. And with this realization, you start to understand that your circle is getting smaller and that you, too, will eventually fade into oblivion.

So, take the time to make new friends of all ages. Make a positive impact on their lives. And when your time comes, there will be others that remember you and how you influenced them.

Very nicely said.

Rick, you summed it up very nicely. All true. I have lost so many friends. One used to live about 3 miles away from me. During Covid, we emailed each other. Also we had WhatsApp, and I forwarded lots of things, especially funny things to her. She introduced me to her friends, her neighbors, but only their first names. When I did not received a reply, I thought she was just very busy. She was very active in her Church. And she had family in South or Nord Carolina---So I thought she may be there-Anyway, I kept sending emails and WhatsApps to her, until one day I thought of calling. Her telephone was disconnected. Then I googled. This was October, and I found out she died in August! I still do not know why she died----I did not want to go to her Church and ask----I also did not know her friends' addresses ----and she only lived 3 miles away from me-She was meticulous in organizing and cleanliness in her condo-, beautifully arranged with her many Indonesian paintings and Chinese porcelain collections-I still miss her----And another friend in Brazil that I met in Heidelberg. Never answered my emails....and another one in London....got a reply that she refused my emails---maybe she now has Alzheimer, like her husband did who passed a few years ago--I had known her from high school, in the same class since 1st grade of High School---(the last 3 years). --In Indonesia: Elementary School: 1-6) Middle School (1-3), High School (1-3) then University -- already determined what your goal is: Engl. Lit, Economy, Law, Med. Doctor. (similar to the Dutch system of education). No college in Indonesia. Came with an immigrant visa from Germany, where I had studied the German language and culture and was found that I was able to find a job and not going to take away jobs from the American citizens. That was one of the rules then.

Two more missing (due to death) at the annual Christmas party this year. Every year the party grows smaller. Once there were 40, now 14.

Happy Birthday Larry. I think of you everyday. I retired at the beginning of the month. This was supposed to be our time to see the world. Sadly, the universe had other plans.

I miss you and I will always love you.

I'm sure so many things bring him to mind, this especially. HUGS.