I was with him the day Harold passed away. I hope what I can share about his last day, from my perspective of it, will help you and his other friends and family have a tiny bit more peace than you may have in not knowing about his last morning.
His crew arrived that day to remove a tree that many people felt impossible to bring down due to various circumstances. That tree had been eaten by bugs for years and had grown a massive hole in the base of it, while the rest protruding from the ground stood higher than any other tree in sight. Worse, it was leaning over a house that had children and their mother inside who lived in constant fear of even the slightest wind that could topple the tree, sending it directly on the path of crushing the childrens' bedroom, on through the master bedroom, then out the other side of the house. It was THAT large.
The team he worked with were absolute pros that, as they cut other surrounding trees, attracted a small crowd to see their masterful work. Harold was every bit a part, doing everything needed to get the job done.
It was a long day and there were breaks. While others in his crew talked about other things I can't recall, Harold stood out by spending his break sipping a drink and talking with a small, curious child that Harold patiently and kindly answered. In the middle of this chat, a dog stopped by to see all the people, but ended with Harold who clearly took more time to pay attention to petting the dog like no other had the entire break.
The day Harold passed will be one I will never forget for many reasons, but none more than the morning I spent around Harold. Even though I only knew him for a brief time, one no longer than you or I may spend with any number of humans we encounter each day without much thought about the unexpected impacts they may have to make them memorable to us, Harold will never be forgotten to me or my family; not because of the unfortunate circumstances that I witnessed during his last day, but instead because of his smiles and interactivity with a friendly dog and inquisitive child, the kindness he showed them, and the clear enjoyment he had with them.
The tree that took Harold's life that day WAS removed, and Harold played a key role in that happening. Not only was his work successful and something that initially brought cheers of joy and success, his efforts will always be known as critical to saving a family from losing many lives, including that of the child he smiled and joked with just moments before. I would never have wanted a life to be taken over that tree, but it will never be forgotten, now or in the lives of all of those he helped save.
His crew arrived that day to remove a tree that many people felt impossible to bring down due to various circumstances. That tree had been eaten by bugs for years and had grown a massive hole in the base of it, while the rest protruding from the ground stood higher than any other tree in sight. Worse, it was leaning over a house that had children and their mother inside who lived in constant fear of even the slightest wind that could topple the tree, sending it directly on the path of crushing the childrens' bedroom, on through the master bedroom, then out the other side of the house. It was THAT large.
The team he worked with were absolute pros that, as they cut other surrounding trees, attracted a small crowd to see their masterful work. Harold was every bit a part, doing everything needed to get the job done.
It was a long day and there were breaks. While others in his crew talked about other things I can't recall, Harold stood out by spending his break sipping a drink and talking with a small, curious child that Harold patiently and kindly answered. In the middle of this chat, a dog stopped by to see all the people, but ended with Harold who clearly took more time to pay attention to petting the dog like no other had the entire break.
The day Harold passed will be one I will never forget for many reasons, but none more than the morning I spent around Harold. Even though I only knew him for a brief time, one no longer than you or I may spend with any number of humans we encounter each day without much thought about the unexpected impacts they may have to make them memorable to us, Harold will never be forgotten to me or my family; not because of the unfortunate circumstances that I witnessed during his last day, but instead because of his smiles and interactivity with a friendly dog and inquisitive child, the kindness he showed them, and the clear enjoyment he had with them.
The tree that took Harold's life that day WAS removed, and Harold played a key role in that happening. Not only was his work successful and something that initially brought cheers of joy and success, his efforts will always be known as critical to saving a family from losing many lives, including that of the child he smiled and joked with just moments before. I would never have wanted a life to be taken over that tree, but it will never be forgotten, now or in the lives of all of those he helped save.
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