The Rube

It's 25 years since our family waited  for the birth of a baby.  (Baby's pictured here with Dad.)  Today we await the birth of our grandchild.  And waiting, we remember a wonderful  friend who rented Grandma's Cottage 25 years ago.  Known as Randy (the Rube)  his baby gift was first to arrive at the hospital when Erin was born. 

Randy was a math and computer teacher.  More than that he was a neighbor &  friend to our son.  Sometimes Hugh ran away to Grandma's Cottage.  Randy made popcorn and they'd watch movies. Hugh's bike would  parallel-park next to Randy's car.

Soon after Erin was born, Randy was diagnosed with melanoma.  There wasn't much time to say goodbye.  For anyone wondering why a kindergarten teacher  does hospital chaplain work,  I share Randy's story.  Random portions of a poem written & given to Randy are below.

"The sword of fate has made its thrust and whether right or most unjust the love and laughter and the strength are precious gifts that will at length reward this good, great endeavor.  The best of life will last forever.   Jennifer Rose and Sarah Mae when they are grown, will someday say I won't forget the love that he in spite of all things gave to me.  Whatever else the world may see, he'll always be 'My Dad' to me. "

 As for the young friend who loved watching movies with him and named his first car Thor...Randy would congratulate our son as he prepares to celebrate his first Father's Day!    

"Of all earth's flawed and wretched creatures he has some most redeeming features.  Though trampling on your sacred ground his barbs with kindness still abound.  Whether the fault is yours or his he tries to tell it like it is." 

(a copy of this Escher print was above the couch at Grandma's Cottage 25 years ago)


"He, just like Thor, his hammer hurls.  His wisdom's not exactly pearls.  And he creates a culture void--he likes the Beatles and Pink Floyd.  No Mozart, Berlioz or Strauss but Godel, Escher, and some Gauss."