What do you say when you lose someone who is a dear human being, who died suddenly, and yet lived a great and full life? Do you wish for something more? Do you cry for him or for yourself for his eternal absence from your life?
Do you tell people that you feel his presence next to you even though he's physically gone? That he is smiling upon you wishing you unconditional love? That he is HAPPY?
These are thoughts, feelings, intuitions that some wouldn't understand. Or consciously be aware of. I do and I am.
Dick Compton was one of the first people I got to know at Fishhawk Lake. Mostly, I recall because he immediately gravitated towards our dogs. And they to him. Dogs are that way, they know good people, RIGHT AWAY. He always had treats for them. They would run in a fury to his house and slam against him at times in their unbounded enthusiasm. I would just apologize and at the same time be pleased that he cherished them the way I did.
I recall one of the many memories we shared that involved my pets. We didn't know it at the time, but he had an unusual critter living in his woodpile. One I had never seen before. Jenna, our Golden Retriever female, flushed it out....actually, she cornered it and it came out fighting mightily! I saw this wee little brownish head peaking out and heard the fight it was putting up. Dick got his camera, and snapped a photo before it disappeared into the wood pile. I had him send it to me and later discovered that it was a weasel!
My first and last time seeing one, but what a discovery that we three made together!
During Dick's sickness, many years later, he always presented a positive "I can beat this" attitude. He never seemed to wane in his commitment to looking for the good, even in the worst of times. I marveled at how he kept going. I would often ask his wife, Barbara,very seriously, "How is Dick doing?" And she would have a spark in her eye and tell me in such an upbeat manner how he kept such a positive demeanor, which I could tell kept HER going in those faltering times.
We lost a great human last week, but I have to say that I think he left with no regrets. He loved his beautiful wife passionately and I recall those dances that they would do together at our local meeting place, The Birk and they had an easy way of coupling on the dance floor moving fluidly like one. You saw the love there.
He had a smile for us, a treat for our dogs, a good word and he gave BACK to everyone. A person I would love to personify. We love you, Dick Compton and I know you are with us, watching over us with a sweet smile and a guardian spirit!
There will be a Celebration of Dick Compton's Life
Saturday, November 15th
1:30-5pm
Cedar Ridge, Vernonia OR
18062 Keasey Road
Appetizers will be provided
Bring your stories to share!!
Comments(18)