Strange Complaints

Despite feeling uncomfortable and out of place, I found myself taking part in Bill Shrum’s Celebration, as we joined to send him on his way with love and friendship. For my part, I simply read a poem he’d written in 2022 and earmarked for the occasion, as I also tried to honor a promise I made him months ago.
From working beside him for years at the newspaper I found I could imitate his voice well enough to fool people, which tickled him tremendously. He loved how it made others laugh, and so he wanted me to do it for him one last time so that there was laughter in the middle of any tears shed.
When the moment arrived and I stood there looking at all the faces staring back at me, I found myself unable to come up with anything that might cause the laughter he wanted though. Instead it was as if I felt his hand on my shoulder as I found myself using his voice to tell everyone thank you for coming to his celebration day.
I meant to add that he loved everyone there - and thought I had - but instead when I watched video of the moment I simply told everyone thank you twice.
I truly believe in that moment he’d have said just that.
To the people sharing all the stories of how he was apart of your lives I know he’d have corrected you right away to tell you that it was you who were a huge part of his life.
The best part.
It’s not going to be easy to go forward and know that we won’t hear his voice ringing out as he spotted us at the grocery store or just out and about town. It’s going to be even harder to pick up the load he carried as a volunteer wherever and whenever needed.
It certainly wasn’t easy telling him goodbye in that church.
What was easy, though, as I heard Bill’s voice leave me and find it’s way into everyone sitting and listening in that church was how many smiles came my way as the room laughed with delight at hearing his voice again.
Bill, you were and still are loved my friend.

Until later..