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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsRory update from last night
I was finally able to sit down and have ribs with Rory last night while the Green Bay Packers were losing to the Philadelphia Eagles 10-7.
https://imgur.com/a/BJlBCW7
https://imgur.com/a/JnyIFH1
The game itself was a defensive struggle without a lot of action so we were able to just hang out, eat some ribs, potatoes and cole slaw along with a generous supply of his favorite candy, Lifesavers.
He had a busy day of visitors, his son in law works fairly high up in the Billy Graham Ministry, and got a email from its head that went to everybody asking for prayers for Rory.
He was clean, engaged, funny, and warm and my old friend.
What makes him extra special is that all those years of chatter and small talk and phone conversations, he remembers with amazing detail, conversations that happened twenty years ago with joy and ease.
I feel so lucky to have crossed paths with him, me this hungry to learn dispatch stuff and training on my own volition free of charge, ultimately ending up with a great job experience and more importantly, a best friend.
I'm staying one more day so I can see him again and then try to make the drive home tomorrow without crying too much.
On a side note since I didn't cover it earlier, he loved the ribs and the potatoes, "dunked in sauce he asked for every bite", lol.
I've met my favorite baseball player, Eddie Murray, I've met many MLB stars, (baseball has always been my passion)
But I've never met a bigger star, a person of such impact and character, that all those meetings occurred in his shade.
Rory Risk is a giant of a man, who gave his life in service, and I can only hope intake the best of him as I try to honor him with further dedicated service of my own.
Thank you my friend, my silent teacher, my confidant, my guide.
I love you Rory, see you soon.
LoisB
(12,041 posts)JMCKUSICK
(4,601 posts)CaliforniaPeggy
(155,747 posts)This is a BIG memory-maker! You will feast on these moments for the rest of your life, and they will bring you both smiles and tears.
Cherish them all.
JMCKUSICK
(4,601 posts)From the start CaliforniaPeggy. The first weekend couldn't have been scripted better, even if behind the scenes it was really chaotic, and these last two days with our prayer, our togetherness, and the obvious deep fondness and love we have for each other shines through.
debm55
(52,735 posts)JMCKUSICK
(4,601 posts)Including you!