17 Comments
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Janet Flinchbaugh's avatar

Love the poem and the skunk cabbage.. the true harbinger o spring as you walk through the woods.

My sympathy on the loss of your cousin.

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Susan Andrews's avatar

Such a touching eulogy for your special cousin, who cherished and lived his Italian heritage so fully…and touched so many lives with his authenticity.

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Gloria Ragonetti's avatar

Will, my deepest sympathies to you and your entire family for the sudden passing of your cousin John. Your tribute definitely captured the spirit and personality of a special person. Thank you for sharing. Treasure the memories. Keep his spirit alive. Sincerely Gloria Ragonetti

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Al Bellenchia's avatar

✌️💕

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Roland Van Deusen's avatar

(Please forgive me if I repeat myself) When someone we love dies on us, Our grief may be equal to the love we have for them. We might some day possibly forget that they may have loved us just as much; leaving us may have been the hardest part of death for them. We wish we knew their dying wish for us. It may have been: "Forgive yourself, love yourself, love your loved ones, and love life with all your might." That's one way we can honor their memory and their life.

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Susan Andrews's avatar

Your reflections are worth repeating, Roland.

As with the accumulated losses associated with aging, we often “re-grieve” preceding losses. Poignant eulogies like Will’s, and Ken’s tribute to his beloved wife, can often lead us to new awarenesses…and moving past the pain of our own past.

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Don Shuler's avatar

Thanks for sharing your cousin John with us. Our hearts go out to you and your loved ones as you grieve the loss.

Sounds like John was a remarkable man who truly shared himself with the world. In letting us get to know him, you have inspired me, and I am sure others, to live the good life,

it all goes back to the haunting question I keep asking myself: what kind of human being do I want to be?

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Richard's avatar

...beautiful eulogy for your cousin / [sorry it was necessary] / seems like he was an admirable person-- who led a remarkable life! // Unions have done much for this country's workers [union and non-union, alike]...and I am 100% pro-unions. --But (as one who spent nearly his entire life in the, non-unionized, private sector) sometimes: union workers do not appreciate "how good they have it." [re: wages & benefits, et cetera]...

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Tanya Goldstein's avatar

I’m sorry for your loss, your cousin sounded like a wonderful man.

I never thought of skunk cabbage like that before, but now I always will! The dragon theme is especially appropriate considering skunk cabbage can make its own internal heat!

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Terry's avatar

So sorry about your cousin…My last older cousin died in October. A very definite void in my life.

When I was president of a local Union, I learned more about union bureaucracy than I cared to know. I think all bureaucracies have their evil methods.

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Susan Colt Willcox's avatar

A beautiful tribute to John that captures his essence perfectly. Well done. Sending you love Will in our shared grief.

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Will Doolittle's avatar

Hi Susan! I hope all is well with you

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Lee Keet's avatar

Please keep up your reporting on the egregious union letter. It is simply irresponsible journalism in my opinion to publwhat-or quote what is essentially an anonymous letter reporting to represent a group of agrieved employees without corroborating that they are truly who it is claimed they are, i.e, actual employees, actual union members, and actually in support of the claims.

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Will Doolittle's avatar

Thanks Lee, I will. Nice to hear from you!

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Patrice D's avatar

Lovely tribute. Holding you and his in caring.

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Edward Low's avatar

I am a little bit late to the story about the APA and understanding it... but as far as how the Union represents people...

I was a union member for 35 years. I would say I didn't always agree with the choices they made... I would add a LOT of decisions were made without my input..

An example being the last contract the negotiating team, when they were near done with the negotiating.. started telling people what it was looking like... What was clear the four people on the team fought for things that were important to THEM... many of them didn't benefit me one bit...

While the team 'represented me' they didn't represent my interests...

BUT

They may have been representing the majority (I didnm't know how others felt)

For better or worse... that is probably how most unions are represented.. it is human nature for those with the power in an organization to do what is best for them..

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Edward Low's avatar

Also, John was right about the Muddy Waters Band. I must have seen 20 such bands.. Bands that were made up of great musicians.. that were not as famous as they deserved.. or past the time when they were fame.

Like you I am not one to go up to one... but from what I have seem... musicians like when people tell them they are fans...... As long as you don't interrupt them talking to a girlfriend, or stop them from getting a smoke or beer.. Most like to have a small chat with people

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