Saying Goodbye

As I said this is about life and love.  Sharing a goodbye:

How to Share a lifetime of memories.
There are so many,
not enough time
not enough time
He loved many things: Northern Michigan, Grand Haven- casinos, combing his hair, Christmas and he always wanted to hear news about his family.
Bud is my oldest cousin- and very special to me.  So I would like to share some thoughts and  a story or two.
He was private-did not like crowds.  As of late, a loner.  But how I loved to make him laugh.  And he enjoyed to laugh.  Life is hard for all of us at times, and Bud had his share of disappointments.  But he was fortunate enough to find Helen and in Helen; stability and Love.
Barb, my older sister and him were only two years apart.  We lived across the street from each other, so they had a childhood bond like brother and sister.  They were together alot.  Walked back and forth to school.  All went well then Bud started playing an instrument.  His Coronet.  Well trouble was..he did not want to carry it.  So down on the sidewalk it went.  Barb would say, "Bud I am not carrying this"  Bud would say, "Well I am leaving it here"  Needless to say Barb pick it up and carried it home.  So if you noticed the sticker in Buds c asket.  She says- This the the last time I'm carrying this for you Bud, It is all yours now..
The to Rock their world-I like to think a cute curly headed girl named Linda became a third part of the walks and adventures of Bud and Barb.  Oh how I love being with them!  But somehow I don't think I fit into the plan.  They would squeeze my hand so hard thinking she'll want to go home..  But not me.  I didn't say a word.  So I went with them.
The day of my fathers, mothers funeral, Barb and Bud were in charge of me.  They decided we would walk to the end of Ruth St and climb the billboard and watch the procession go by.  So, off WE went.  Bud and barb and ME.  Got up there.  Imagine everyone's surprise to see us sitting high on that billboard when they passed on Jefferson Ave on there way to the cemetery.  That was in 1949, I was two, and here it is 2008 and we are making our last journey together to Michigan Memorial.
I look over and see him lying in blue- His first car was blue, Mr. Blue he called it.  He loved that car.  How happy he is to be in Mr. Blue again.
Jerry and I and Bud and Helen would try to meet one Friday a month for dinner.  Because of his speech sometimes it was trying but somehow I could manage to make him laugh.  He loved a story about hims Mom.  Barb and I were visiting her once at Rivergate and we were in the basement visiting room.  We were having
tea.  She looked at us and said:  See the refrigerator:  Well, don't open it.  Buds in there!  And I don't want him to leave.  He loved it!!
You are at rest now Bud-At Peace.   We will all miss you and always love you.

Memory of Bud