Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Sonny

Well, here goes...I'm nervous but excited.  Hope to do this correctly in terms of posting my daily entries.


His name was Milt, but everyone on our street called him Sonny.  He died three days ago.  Lung cancer.  Diagnosed only 2 months ago.  I miss him.  We didn't get to say goodbye.  Few of his neighbors did.  Sonny had lived on our street for many, many years and knew everyone - and most everyone knew him.   He lived alone, but walked down the block most days to visit his girlfriend.  Sonny was probably in his 60s. Weathered face from hours spent in the sun.  Warm brown eyes.  A smile and laugh more genuine than any I've seen. Sonny was happy, loving, caring - real.  His talents knew no bounds.  He was a skilled carpenter, plumber, roofer, landscaper, auto mechanic, welder.... he could do it all.  And DID.  He was always available to the people on our street.  He might be installing windows on one house one week, digging up the lawn to replant it at another house the next, and building a porch enclosure a few days later.  He gave - and gave and gave - quietly, happily, selflessly - all the years I knew him.  We had our first child shortly after moving on Sonny's street and he took on the role of honorary "Grandpa".  Both my children loved him but my son took a special interest because Sonny would show him how things worked, how they were put together, how to fix things, how to build things.  He would give my son "treasures" - that Ben loved.  An old steering column still sits in my backyard - a real prize in the eyes of my son, who plans on using it for a race car he wants to build.  Sonny would stop by to visit as he took his walks and you always came away a bit more lighthearted than you were before the conversation.
Last November Sonny drove his monstrous RV in front of his house to get it ready for a fishing and camping trip he was going to take with some of his buddies up in Oregon and Washington.  He was gone for about 2 weeks.   I remember how excited he was for this trip.  Ben went over and helped him fix up the RV to get it ready.  While he was gone I thought about him often, sending private wishes for good weather, good fishing and good times.  Christmas came and went - then the news - Sonny has lung cancer.  Starting chemo immediately.  Within a week he was gone - in the hospital due to complications.  When he was released his family took him home with them to care for him.  I knew...I just knew - I would never see him again.  Monday, as I arrived home from work, there were cars at his house with many family members.  My heart sank.  News came that night from my husband - Sonny was gone.
I miss him.  He wasn't my family.  He was just my neighbor.  But, I guess I loved him.  I miss him.  Goodbye my friend.

15 comments:

  1. So sorry for the loss of Sonny. Amazing how people can touch our lives from afar.

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  2. You certainly honored Sonny in this piece. I have tears in my eyes...thanks for sharing.

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  3. First, welcome to Slice of Life. You created a beautiful character sketch of Sonny. It brought tears to my eyes. Family isn't only the ones we are related to. What a beautiful neighbor you had in Sonny. I'm glad that you and your son share the memory of Sonny.

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  4. You are so lucky to have known him for the time you did---and he was family--the family you chose. Thank you so much for sharing this. it brought back wonderful memories of a former neighbor of ours...and it brought a few tears also...thanks for sharing

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  5. This is a beautiful tribute to a wonderful man. I too recently lost a neighbor and it was harder than I imagined it would be. Reading your post has inspired me and perhaps one of my slices will be about what he meant to our family. Great work today!

    I also have a student who read your post and would like to comment, so I told her I would leave it for her. Here's what Emilee had to say: This was VERY good. I am also new to Slice Of Life. I'm sorry for the loss of Sonny. He sounded like a very nice man. This piece of writing brought tears to my eyes.

    (Note: I'm using my Google account as I don't have the option to leave my name and URL. I'm participating in the SOLSC with my 7th grade students and can be found at: www.amandacornwell.edublogs.org).

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  6. This is a touching reminder of how quickly life happens. How wonderful that he got to take that trip.

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  7. Writing can be so therapeutic, can't it. I got chills when I was reading the last lines.

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  8. First, I'm so sorry for you & your families loss! Family is not always those that are blood relatives, family comes in many forms! Second, welcome, you will be so glad you joined us! Thanks for sharing such a personal slice! I will keep you all in my thoughts. Sonny was special, cherish those memories in the rough days ahead! May those special memories help you find comfort when you find yourself missing him.

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  9. Oh Julie, this is a wonderful piece. My heart goes out to you, your family and neighbors. I think it is so special that you got to know this man. I've lived in my suburban neighborhood for 17 years and we barely know our neighbors. Things were so different when I was growing up in the 50's. I am new to SOLS too. I linked my story on the wrong page this morning, and just now fixed it, so I don't expect many responses. I'm excited and nervous too.

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  10. Welcome fellow newbie! What a WONDERful story. Thank you for sharing!

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  11. This was such a touching story! I'm so glad for you to have an opportunity like this to share and now we've all been touched by Sonny's life. I was really struck by one of the first sentences, "We didn't get to say goodbye." It had me reading the whole piece preparing myself. My heart goes out to your neighborhood family.

    I'm new too to SOLC(not even sure I got the acronym right?), so welcome! Looking forward to learning from eachother.

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  12. How wonderful that you had some time to share with this special person!

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  13. Sonny's memory has been honored by your words. This touches the heart and that's powerful writing. Thanks for sharing!

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  14. What a beautiful tribute! Your love, admiration, and appreciation shines through. The craft you use with repeating phrases and the power of 3 is molded brilliantly. MaryHelen

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  15. Thank you for sharing with us about this wonderful neighbor in your life. I am very sorry for your loss.

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