"It was wonderful seeing you again, Jack. You look great!" I said.
"You haven't changed a bit," he replied.
"Well, one of us is lying and it isn't me! I've changed a lot and I've got the
pictures to prove it," I told him.
"That's why I never permit my picture to be taken," he said.
"Oh, go on. You must have pictures of yourself."
"No, I don't. Oh, maybe one or two, but there are no family albums in my home
that include me and I always back out of group photos."
"Why?"
"I don't want people to remember me that way," he said.
"What way?"
"Still!"
"Still? You mean like in a still shot? Standing still?"
"Exactly."
"But why?"
"Bob, we've known each other for more than thirty years. How often have we spent
time together?"
"Not often enough," I said. "But that's because you're..."
"So busy?" He interrupted.
"Right."
"The last time we spent time together what did we do?" He asked.
"Oh, that was incredible. We spent the entire day hitting all the old hang outs.
We started early in the day and never stopped until we dropped," I said smiling.
"That's right. I have a need to keep going. I live each day fully and never stop
to complain about anything I might feel is lacking in my life. I am alive and
that means I am on the go. You'll know I'm dead when I stop moving!"
"Like in a photo," I said.
"Yes."
"But photos leave something to hold on to. Those who love you will be able to
hold you long after you're gone," I said.
"Close your eyes and think of me. Go ahead. Now what do you see?" He asked.
"I see you at the edge of the pool that night right before you jumped in. You
are laughing hysterically. I ran over to push you and you moved," I said. Now we
are both laughing.
"You see, your memories of me are of me doing something. I was alive, moving,
laughing, jumping. A picture captures a split second of a lifetime of living. I
want you to remember the living," he said.
Later that evening we said our goodbyes.
As I remember my friend, I can only see him animated and loving life. That
night, as I tried to fall asleep, I thought much about what he had to say.
He was right!
I too, want to be remembered so very much alive.
So picture me.... To my loved ones: Whenever we are apart...think of me kindly,
see me in your dreams and hold me in your heart. Do not flip through photos
trying desperately to remember my touch. Simply close your eyes and picture me
in your arms once more as you feel the pounding of my heart and listen for the
sighs that contentment brings.
If I am not there beside you, if only for a while, see me dancing through your
life, for thoughts of loving you and being loved by you are music for my soul.
If one moment of loneliness should shadow your life, think of me and see me
standing by your side. We'll talk of life and lovely things like strolling in
the park. We'll run again along the shoreline smashing at the waves and in the
sunset of the day we'll sit staring at the moon.
To my friends...please picture me... If I had the honor of your friendship and
the blessing of having you in my life... if ever you should think of me or find
you are in need of a friend, picture me not in still images folded among the
pages of some book gathering dust on a shelf. See me laughing at your jokes (out
of the kindness of my heart), raising a toast or two to our youth or beating you
at pool.
Close your eyes and see me on the sidelines of your life, cheering you on
through your challenges, praying for your happiness and with an outstretched
hand if ever you should fall.
Please, if you must have a picture...
Picture me dancing, for I loved music.
Picture me singing, for my soul was an expression of my love for life.
Picture me laughing, for my spirit was filled with joy.
Picture me rolling in the leaves of autumn, lying in the snows of winter and
playing in the sands of summer.
Picture me not in still shots but in the movie of a life I love.
Finally if by chance I am not there because I have answered the final call,
picture me waiting for you just beyond the sunrise and long before night's
calling.
But picture me always loving you.
Bob Perks Bob@BobPerks.com
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