Someone That I Could Always Turn To

What though the radiance which was once so bright
Be now forever taken from my sight;
Though nothing can bring back the hour
Of splendor in the grass, of glory in the flower,
We will grieve not, rather find
Strength in what remains behind.
-William Wordsworth

Oh, that 80s hair! Both of us!

My heart is broken. Someone who was very dear to me passed away this week. He had been in poor health for the past ten years, but his death is still a shock to me. He was my neighbor when I first graduated from college and moved to Branson and quickly became my protector, my confidante, my adviser, my friend. He never said, "I told you so." And he could have, many times. Many, many times. 

I hadn't been good about keeping in touch with him lately. What a mistake. But he was always bigger than life to me, and I thought he would always be there. How foolish of me! 

I want to fix it, both for his wife and my friend, Sandy, and, selfishly, for me.

Sandy, Larry and me, August 7, 1993

I. Want. Backsies.

This is how I will always remember him.
Rest peacefully, Larry Wilkinson.
I'll try to think before I act, like
you always tried to teach me.