Goodbye, Gentle Giant

I lost a friend yesterday. I have to be honest, I hadn't seen him in a while, this sweet gentleman from my office. He could bring a smile to your face just seeing him, he always had a happy word, never passed without a hug or a kiss on the cheek. I found out this week he wasn't well, and set aside some time to make contact, I didn't make it by before he died.

I remember when his wife died of liver cancer. I remember when he first ventured out after than complaining about the crazy widow-women bring him dinner all the time. Although you know he appreciated it, he would make jokes about having to keep up with them and their dishes. My cheeks hurt from laughing so hard him telling those stories. In fact I'm smiling, and a little teary-eyed at the same time thinking about it. I remember fond evenings after work with him and two others at "The Slounge". Paul with his gin & tonic - I don't ever remember him drinking anything else - always asking how things were and making me laugh. He had an infectious loud laugh, rich and full. I remember one year at the Christmas Party he brought a bag of blinking rings, passing them out to the women of the office. I could talk for hours about this sweet wonderful man. But instead, I'm toasting your memory Paul, giggling at those silly questions you used to ask me and praying for your family.

He was almost always the tallest man in the room, but that's not what made him stand out. He was a truly wonderful man and I will miss him. Goodbye Paul.