I just went to visit an old friend. He had known me since I was not much more than a kid. It seems that while I was away he had had a stroke.
While I was still in North Dakota I would ask about him but I could get very little information other than where he was located. This seemed quite odd to me because of how many people knew him.
For many years if you needed a drywall finisher you called this guy. There were many times he was the only person that had the skill set required for some of the complex designs people would come up with.
People would also find him entertaining as he would occasionally stroll around town wearing his drywall stilts. He was a well known figure in the area. It pains me to report that he is now all but forgotten.
He spends his days in his room in a veteran's home. Very few people come to see him and it is sad. After I arrived to find him I had to remember his real name. The only person that ever referred to him by his given name was his mom. Come to find out everyone called him by the name everyone else called him anyway. So all that memory searching was for naught.
It was great to see him! Even though he is confined to a wheelchair and can use only one arm. His face lit up when we came in and soon he was laughing as we reminisced. I will definitely be visiting often because I feel that nobody should ever be forgotten and alone.
As we were leaving the staff remarked that he had not laughed like that in a very long time. After hearing many horror stories about conditions in other veteran's homes I am happy to report that the one he is in is quite beautiful and well appointed. Please do not take people for granted. None of us are guaranteed tomorrow!
