On Monday, March 11, Lee and I departed around 11:00 a.m. for the trip to Brooklet, Georgia. This is the home of our good friend who had recently expired on March 9th. We had read his wife's e-mails the past two weeks, and after talking with her a week earlier, we knew that his recovery was probably not going to happen. It was at that time that Lee said he wanted to go to his funeral, whenever it would be. I agreed. We had discussed this earlier with the two other couples who also planned to be there for his wife in the event that he did die.
And so it was, that we began the long journey to Brooklet, Georgia ( which is a very small town about 30 miles West of Savannah ). We had made reservations to stay in a larger, neighboring town called Statesboro, Ga., which is about the size of Gastonia. Our plans were to meet our friends from Roanoke at the hotel, located in Statesboro. Unfortunately, our other friends from Wilmington, who had planned to go, had to cancel because of a previously scheduled surgery for the wife.
Leaving @ 11:00 gave us an estimated DOA of 5:00 that evening. Along the way we checked with the couple traveling from Roanoke and discovered that we were approximately one hour ahead of them, and planned to be at the hotel upon their arrival. Lee drove all the way, refusing my offers to drive. He explained that it would take too long with my driving ( I refuse to go 80 + miles per hour ), and it would bother him more to be my passenger. I let him drive all the way there.
The trip was uneventful, and we were looking forward to (according to our directions), exiting and with one short turn being immediate to the hotel. Not to be! We looked all over Statesboro for the LaQuinta Inn, and had almost decided it was not even there. Finally after the game of "Let's just look around", I persuaded Lee to stop at a convenience store and ask a clerk for the directions. When he returned to the car, I asked if he had the correct information, to which he angrily responded, "unfortunately, I do not speak Indian!". In exasperation, he called the Inn, and the very kind clerk patiently guided us to our destination.
We arrived as two very "grouchy" travelers! Tired and hungry! Were we surprised to see our friends from Roanoke's car sitting directly in front of us in the pull-through at LaQuinta! When we greeted them, we explained how it was that we unexpectedly toured Statesboro!
After a short rest, following the unloading and checking-in, the four of us decided to eat dinner around 6 p.m. and make it to the receiving around 7:30. ( the receiving was to be from 5-8 ) Perhaps most of the people would have left, or the line very short at that time. We arrived at the funeral home and were somewhat dismayed to see the sea of cars. Once inside the building, we found they were all there for our friend.
We were in the line for over an hour waiting to speak to our friend's family; however, we were able to meet many people and learn much more about our friend. It seems the entire towns of Brooklet and most of Statesboro had come to pay their respects. He was spoken of with great admiration from everyone we encountered. So many people told us of experiences that had influenced their lives in positive ways. He was described as a working man, always ready to help others, and even though he was a man of few words, his silence spoke volumes toward helping his fellow-man. We would have expected no less. Having known him for a short two and one-half years, we had come to respect this quiet, insightful man. His dignity was unsurpassed. We knew he was a person to be trusted.
The funeral was the following day at their church in Brooklet @ 11:00 a.m. We were honored to be named as honorary pallbearers. Our hearts were filled with grief and saddness for losing our friend. The pain felt by his wife was almost unbearable, and we pray daily that she will find peace during these difficult months ahead.
Even though the trip was fast and furious, and we were exhausted the next day, we are glad that we were able to pay this final tribute to our dear friend and his family.
More Later.............................................Brenda
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