Here one day, gone the next GAW in memory of a short friendship

RaptureRaptor

RaptureRaptor

Joined
Jun 2, 2013
Messages
306
Hi all.

So I find myself shocked and deeply saddened today at the loss of a friend I had barely known. A few days back I wrote a story about a man I had met through a love of traditional knives. We had talked and at the end we were better friends than I had been with someone in quite a while.

Today I received a letter that I thought was from Henry, I dashed to open it and was surprised when the author professed to be his wife. The letter read:

Dear Sam
I'm sorry to have to tell you but Henry never received your letter. The day he landed from Perth he suffered a severe heart attack, although the paramedics did what they could, he didn't survive.

I wanted to send you this letter in thanks, the first thing he wanted to speak about when he got in the door was the fine young man he had met "out west" as he always called it. He told me he expected letter from you, sadly it arrived a day too late.

I read your letter and the stories you put in, Henry would have loved them. I'm sorry that you never got a chance to hear back from him.

I hope you are well and I hope this doesn't ruin your approach to people, I'd never seen Henry as animated about a chance encounter. Thankyou for that, and thankyou for the wonderful letter.

Regards

Needless to say, I'm overwhelmed that she took the time and effort to write me to let me know. I sent an immediate return letter thanking her and offering my condolences. The world is a little bit darker for his loss.

So in memory of Henry, his love of traditionals and his abundant generosity, I'm holding a GAW.

The winner will receive a Victorinox tinker, a twin of the one Henry gave to me. A simple "I'm in" is enough but I'd love to hear a joke or perhaps an anecdote of someone you admired.

Thanks for reading.
Sam
 
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Not an entry.

Sam, I'm sorry to hear that your newfound friendship was cut so short. Judging by his wife's response, I'd say that there was a reason that you two met that day. You brightened that man's final days, and brought him a ray of happiness on his last trip. It's very generous of you to be thinking of others, and it shows the spirit that Henry saw in you. I'm not a SAK guy, so please don't enter me into your drawing. I just wanted to offer my condolences.
 
Sam,

Sorry to read about this. I thoroughly enjoyed your first thread about this gentleman, so it's quite a shock to hear that happened so quickly. Take some solace that it appears your short encounter met a lot to him.

I knew someone from a forum, the guy was full of life, always the first to welcome someone or comment on a subject. His enthusiasm was contageous. He passed away last year due to long-standing medical issues, the forum wasn't quite the same without him.

This is not an entry, I just wanted to stop in and offer my thoughts.

Glenn
 
This isn't an entry, but please accept my condolences for his passing. I read your thread and it was a great read. Often in life we overlook things like a pleasant conversation with a stranger. Especially with lots of individuals busy with different focuses, you past by most strangers unacknowledged and not acknowledging them either. I am guilty of this. Regardless, I wish his wife and family the best and feel good that you gave him a pleasant experience before his final days.
 
Sam, really a sad turn of events. A reminder that life is short. It's great that you to strangers were able to part as friends. Not an entry, just wanted to offer my condolences and thank you for sharing this with us.

Jim
 
Sam, I read and enjoyed your thread about Henry, my condolences to the loss of your friend and find it so touching his wife wrote to you on his passing.

Friendship is not based on the length of time two people know each other, it's the quality of time spent together:thumbup:

You and Henry definitely shared quality time together;)

Please not an entry but wanted to pass along my condolences.
 
So sorry to hear that Henry passed away. I'm sure he spent a lot of time smiling from his encounter with you. Thanks for touching his life and honoring his legacy here. Not an entry, but thank you for taking the time for someone else.
 
Quality time spent in relationship is never an accident. I'm sure that both of you were enriched by the experience, and now you have another blessed memory to cherish.
 
Thanks for all the wishes guys, it's true life is short and glad moments fleeting, but I'm glad I got to meet him and I thank the traditionals forum for sparking the interest that lead to our friendship, however short lived.
 
So what is Johann Sebastian Bach's favorite fruit?

Ba nan nan nan naaaaa

Sorry it would be better if I could sing on here. However, it is probably better for all I can't. My 1st grader told me that one last week.

I lost my roommate in my mid 20's. He tried his hardest to get me off drugs, to stop drinking, and rethink my perspective. It wasn't until his passing did I see the true friend I had. It took a while to get to the good memories once the shock passed. Since then I try to remember tomorrow isn't promised and to live in a way that is positive for others. I believe you and Henry both did that in your meeting one another. Hold on to the beauty of that memory once the shock passes my friend.

I would be honored to enter your gaw.
 
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The generosity of this place continues to blow me away, especially here in the traditional sub forum. In a time of heartache you're looking to pay it forward for a gift that was given to you. Too much man. Major kudos too you. My condolences for the loss of your friend and for his family.

Not an entry but I do hope the person that gets it cherishes and gets good use out of it.
 
Mine is not an entry either, Sam. I am sorry for the loss of a good man, and even more so for the loss of a man who enjoyed our hobby. My condolences to both you and Henry's family.
 
Sorry for your loss. Its hard to learn of someone passing, even if it wasn't a longtime friend. Unfortunately I can't think of a good joke offhand. Just wanted to offer some condolences.
 
Not an entry for the GAW...I was moved by your account of meeting this gentleman and sharing a hobby/interest. I'm very sorry to hear of his passing - it is wonderful that you had this experience, and that his wife was able to contact you with the bad news (at least it seems better than wondering what could have happened). My condolences to his loved ones and to you.

It was a little over a year ago that I unexpectedly lost someone dear to me who appreciated all there is about knives and other pointy/sharp objects...I'm still sitting on several blades that were intended to be given on birthdays/father's days/grandparent's days, etc. Enjoy while you can, share while you can! Sorry I don't have any upbeat anecdotes or jokes, by the way...
 
I read the posts of apology, but God knows our time to the minute and that was his. Very sad for those left, however what an amazing story from a man's last days! It really says something about your friend that his kindnesses was so great that shared about it here so we could all enjoy it.

Thank you so much for sharing the great moment you guys had shared and I'm very sorry to hear you lost a friend. Definitely better your paths had crossed and been cut short than never cross at all. Great story in your first part: thanks.
 
Very sorry for the loss you feel; the best thing that we have in this life is others, and, regrettably, we lose those as well. Very good on you that you had that wonderful, bittersweet opportunity to be important to someone in their last days.
May we all be so fortunate; either at the end ourselves, or as the friend.
B.
 
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