08/03/2025
This morning I received some the sad news of one of my customers passing. This last few years has brought a lot of sickness and death to many of my customers. Being blessed to be here for almost thirty years they become more than customers, they are my friends, my family. I listen to their struggles and watch them endure countless medical treatments or procedures. Every one of them stronger than the next. It’s hard to watch the people you love or care about suffer.
This particular customers name was Ed. He was a boxer back in his day. I never seen a fighter like this. Life threw everything at him but it couldn’t knock him down. He fought over 80 rounds, his stamina was amazing.
The generosity and kindness he has shown me warms my heart. I would come into work on countless mornings at 6am in the dead of winter temperatures well below zero degrees. My parking lot, my sidewalks and my walkways to the store would be cleared of all the snow that was dumped over night. On the hot summer days Ed would come out of nowhere with a lawnmower and his trimmer and cut my grass. Even on his sickest days he would offer to help. He would not take money, he didn’t want anything he was just a good person wanted to spread some kindness.
He loved to fish. His dream was to get a small fishing boat and a small truck to haul it around. He wanted to spend his last years on the water fishing in peace. I wish I had the means to grant him that wish. As I sit at the river and look out I can’t help but to think of him. I know he is in a better place and he got his fast pass to heaven. I can picture him fishing while enjoying his favorite cigar or pipe to***co.
It’s sometimes these small gestures that people hold dear. Be kind, kindness doesn’t cost a thing, but it’s worth everything. Spread it freely. It’s hard to see the good ones leave us but I will take a part of him and try to do my part to spread that same generosity to those who cross my path.
As I sit here and reflect on Ed I thank God for another day of life, another breath, another opportunity to do better and be better. Every sunrise is a blessing. Each day is a gift from God, another chance to live with purpose, love deeply and walk in faith of a better world.
