Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Even though I first met Elmar and Barbara in 1982, I didn't really get to know them much since I was fresh out of college and attending the Camas United Methodist Church. I didn't attend there much longer and then began working there as secretary in 1987. Since they were both involved, I got to know them a little bit because of my job.
After working there 17 years, I was let go under stressful conditions. This happened just a couple of weeks before Barbara passed away. I would drive by the Bedford every couple of weeks and my heart went out to him, so I finally went to visit him two months after Barbara's passing.
It then became every 2-3 months that I would go and visit him for several hours at a time, mostly listening to him. It was mentally stimulating for both of us and the friendship blossomed over the years. I feel that my life was enriched by those visits and by our friendship. We talked about family, photography, his past, my artwork, and other things he had been reading about or whatever came up.
I will miss him and look forward to seeing him again in heaven. My husband Cris joined me on a couple of visits, and Elmar and Cris found lots of notes to compare having both grown up in Texas.
Your whole family is in my prayers. I feel your loss and look forward to celebrating his life with you Oct. 10th. I was glad to see him on his birthday and also a few days later with Cris. I'm glad he is no longer suffering, that was hard to see.
God bless you all!
