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September 25, 2001 - My Friend Joe
Welcome to Guy Week on 2TheHeart!
Meditate.
Live purely. Be quiet.
Do your work with mastery.
Like the moon, come out
from behind the clouds!
Shine.
~~Buddha~~
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Another outstanding web site has earned 2TheHeart's "Make a Difference" award! Richard Kidd's site "The Sharing Tree is packed full of inspiration! Visit and find links to other inspiring sites, interviews with outstanding people, and motivation on every page to reach out and make a difference! www.thesharingtree.com
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"Guy Week" continues on 2theheart with a moving tribute to a wonderful friend of Chuck's, who knew how to live life to the fullest!
"My Friend Joe"
by Chuck Dishno
Several years ago I was having coffee at the local coffee shop and I sat beside an elderly gentleman and I struck up a conversation. I asked him if he had lived here long (I often do this as my grandfather, Silas, was an early day pioneer in the Big Hole Valley and I love to hear stories about him).
He said you might say that he had lived here quite a while, about 95 years. This took me aback as he didn't look to be much over 70. He told me he was 97 and he was born in Butte and had lived here since he was about 2 years old. This first encounter with Joe started a lasting friendship and I looked forward to seeing him each morning for coffee. Joe lived by himself and drove his own car to the coffee shop every morning. He was very proud of the fact that he just had his drivers license renewed until the age 103.
Each morning we would talk about the past and his life in Dillon. He was especially proud of his three daughters, Regina, Mary Jo and Esther. He told me of what a great cook his wife of many years had been and how he missed her after her death. Joe was quite the ladies' man too. I would watch him when a woman came into the coffee shop. His eyes would follow her every step. He had the waitresses trained too. As soon as he sat down, they would pour his coffee and then put two creamers in it for him. He said that was a privilege of getting old. And what a sense of humor Joe had. One morning I was bragging to a lady that he had just celebrated his 101st birthday and she came over and gave him a kiss right on the lips. Joe really enjoyed that but when I told him she was Canadian, he said that was OK, but with the exchange rate that kiss was only worth about 60%. Another time, he asked me if I could fix his electric blanket. I told him that I didn't know much about fixing one but suggested he get a big woman to sleep next to and keep him warm. He said, "That would be fine, but just on the North side." When his old car finally quit, he bought a new one and wondered if he should get an extended warranty. Now if that's not confidence at 100 years, I don't know what is.
Although I met Joe late in his life, I would not trade those few years for anything. I certainly gained from the encounter and I will never forget him.
A few weeks ago, my friend, Joe, died peacefully in his sleep at 102 plus years. I know that Joe was a deeply religious man and I have no doubt that we will meet again sometime. I like to think that when he went through the Pearly Gates and St. Peter gave him his wings, the first thing he asked was, "Do these things come with an extended warranty?"
God bless you, Joe. Thank you for sharing your life and humor with me and enriching mine. I will miss you.
Your friend,
Chuck Dishno
Dillon, Montana
dishgov@mcn.net
I am a retired printer living in Dillon, Montana with my wonderful wife, Roz, and two crazy cats, Amy and Max. I love writing and have written many stories for my children and grandchildren, including some found on 2theheart and Funny Friday archives:
http://www.2theheart.com/archives
http://www.2theheart.com/funny_friday/
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The Letter Box:
Dear Susan,
I love your idea for GUY WEEK! I am excited to see a new author in the lineup too! I look forward to a fun-filled week - leave it to you to always be thinking up new ideas! That's what makes 2theheart the best!!!
~Shawna King
Dear 2theheart,
I am partial to poetry and have spent quite some time in your poetry archives. What a talented writer Roger cook is. I was very moved by his poem today and the timing seemed so appropriate for the events in our world today. His poem seemed very inspired and a wonderful way to begin this week. Thank you.
~Cheryl Springfield
TX
Roger,
I was deeply moved by your poetry this morning. I have been filled with trepidation as to what each new day will bring for America, and this morning your poem brought a calming peace to my spirit. Thank you so much for this lovely piece.
~Ginger
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