Discussion Topic |
|
This thread has been locked |
| Messages 1 - 11 of total 11 in this topic |
HF
climber
I'm a Norwegian stuck in Joshua Tree
|
|
|
Topic Author's Original Post - May 29, 2017 - 07:03am PT
|
Today is Memorial Day, May 29th 2017, and exactly one year since Robert passed away. For the second time he changed my life forever. It is still so surreal to me, - the thought that I will never see him again. No, I am not a religious person and neither was he. But he was a good, decent, kind, loving, generous, incredibly intelligent man. The best and most loyal friend anyone could have, and the most empathic and genuine person I have ever known.
Robert did not serve in the military, and those of you that knew him will probably read that comment with a smile on your face, but he always had tremendous respect for those who did. Whenever he crossed paths with someone whom he though was or had been in military service, he would stop to ask them, then shake their hand with the simple words “I just want to thank you for your service and for what you do”. This side of him was not well known, but I witnessed it on numerous occasions. His simple gesture was always received with surprise and thankfulness by those service members.
If any of you when reading this post feel that I am “using” memorial day to mourn my own personal loss of a loved one, as it happens someone that was not a military man, I sincerely apologize. The fact that Memorial Day 2016 was the day I had to let him slip away forever, to me only reinforces the reason why we celebrate the official Memorial Day, and also that every day is a personal memorial day for many.
Below is a post by Robert Fonda (rlf) from Supertopo’s archives that I feel I well worth mentioning and hereby re-posting:
//Topic Author's Original Post - May 23, 2015 - 02:32pm PT
Memorial day is not about sales at Megamart. It's not about the fact that you get an extra payed day off. It's not about BBQ's. Memorial day is about respecting and paying tribute to the men and women who are, and have been willing to serve and die for the very rights the rest of us take for granted.
Thank you all for your service.//
 end of rlf's post -
I concur!
Finally, to my family and all my friends (many because of your friendship with Robert), thank you for being there.
The Joshua Tree season is coming to an end. I hope to see many of you next season if not sooner.
Hilde
|
|
rottingjohnny
Sport climber
Sands Motel , Las Vegas
|
|
|
May 29, 2017 - 07:14am PT
|
HF.. Good post...Thank you...
|
|
F10
Trad climber
Bishop
|
|
|
May 29, 2017 - 08:06am PT
|
Hilde, my thoughts are with you and Robert today.
Very well said and I hope you find some comfort today knowing what a great person he was.
Much respect and missing him too
James
|
|
ron gomez
Trad climber
fallbrook,ca
|
|
|
May 29, 2017 - 09:33am PT
|
Peace to you Hilde! So fortunate to have had Robert and have you as a friend. I too never served in the military, but I do work with our Injured, Ill and Wounded Marines and Sailors. Robert always thanked ME for that and always offered any of his services if I ever need him to help in my work. You both are blessed to have each other! Memorial Day is set aside to recognise "those that served", but service comes in many ways and forms and Robert indeed provide and fullfill his service.
Peace
Ron
|
|
StahlBro
Trad climber
San Diego, CA
|
|
|
May 29, 2017 - 10:59am PT
|
Very touching post Hilde. I have been thinking about Robert a lot the last few weeks. Deb and I are thinking about you as well. Hope you find some solace in the huge positive impact Robert had on so many people of all varieties and inclinations.
Peace to you, and hope to see you again soon.
Rob and Deb
|
|
Gnome Ofthe Diabase
climber
Out Of Bed
|
|
|
May 29, 2017 - 11:04am PT
|
With the utmost respect this will always be Your Day to internalize and expound.
His story - his presence - and his bold last lead are touch-stones to me.
I tell in a hushed tones, as many of my close friends are diagnosed,
The Story. -The very little of it that I know.-
As a way of reenforcing that loved ones should return to the side of their friends or family member.
Bless you and may you in your way find his spirit as it is, he will be with you, take solace from all the little moments of silence when you think of him he is there.
|
|
MikeL
Social climber
Southern Arizona
|
|
|
May 29, 2017 - 11:10am PT
|
HF,
I’m a combat vet with various wounds. I used to avoid any kind of celebration I could of those wounds or my service because of what I saw men do on the field of battle and in the chambers of our government.
It’s only recently that I’ve been able to let that go and learned to celebrate the great camaraderie and community of honorable men and women who have lived those lives serving their country and each other.
What I might say is that we could honor the fallen and the living military folks not for their serving us and our country but for the way it may have wounded their souls.
It was nice to read your post.
Be well.
|
|
Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
|
|
|
May 29, 2017 - 07:31pm PT
|
Hilde, so very glad you posted. Only Robert could go to (for me) heaven on the perfect day.....Memorial Day. He would make such jokes about this. I wish he had gifted me with even a tiny bit of his sense of humor. I love you Hilde.
|
|
HF
climber
I'm a Norwegian stuck in Joshua Tree
|
|
|
Topic Author's Reply - May 30, 2017 - 10:26am PT
|
James, Locker, Ron, Rob, and Lynne,
Thank you for your kind words and your friendship, and for what you have done for Robert and I.
To those of you adding to this thread, I thank you for your kind words, and for sharing some of yourself. I was not sure how this post would be received, and was a bit hesitant to post. After reading the comments I am glad I did post.
MikeL, Thank you for your service and for your kind words. I am happy that you liked my post, and I am glad that you have been able to let go and celebrate. I often come in contact with military personnel during my work day, some with visible injuries and no doubt many with invisible "scars". They are all very nice and pleasant people, always polite, - a treat that seems to become rare these days. I wish you all the best MikeL.
I also have several friends and acquaintances that are vets, and that have been on the front lines. Their emotional scars are invisible to the eye, and only they know how badly they are wounded. I can't even begin to imagine what their sacrifices have been. I have also had the honor of meeting and developing a friendship with some of the medical personnel, the ones that look after the troops on the base and on the battlefield. You all have my utmost respect and gratitude for what you have done and continue to do.
Hilde
//"We are not now that strength which in old days
Moved earth and heaven, that which we are, we are,
One equal temper of heroic hearts,
Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will
To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield."//
ALFRED LORD TENNYSON
|
|
Lynne Leichtfuss
Trad climber
Will know soon
|
|
|
May 30, 2017 - 07:12pm PT
|
Thanks for the photo lightner, uplift Locker. lynnie
|
|
donini
Trad climber
Ouray, Colorado
|
|
|
May 30, 2017 - 07:24pm PT
|
I only had a relationship with Robert when he kindly allowed me to bivvy at the "ranch" during the Bridwellfest. He was kind and gracious and a pleasure to be around.
|
|
| Messages 1 - 11 of total 11 in this topic |
|
SuperTopo on the Web
|
Let us know!