Remembering a Friend
I was asked to write a little reflection for the L'Arche newsletter about my friend who passed away. I thought I would post it on here as well...
When Maria asked me to write and share some of my memories of David, I had no idea where to begin. Talking about him in the past tense still seems so strange to me. I still feel like if I were to ring Suaimnheas tomorrow I would get to hear him say "HELLO CATIE-LAND!" I was blessed enough to get to spend 15 months sharing life with Dave in Suaimhneas, and during that time he taught me so much about friendship, laughter, and love. We all have so many great memories of our dear friend, I hope that somehow reading a few of mine will be comforting.
One of my favorite things about Dave was his welcoming spirit. Whether you were a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a stranger walking down the street, or even one of the neighborhood dogs, Dave was always ready to greet you with handshakes and a smile. If you were really lucky he might even assign you a new nickname. I know that Uncle Fred. Sylba, Happy Marie, Katie L'Arche, Maria Lasagna, Nicold, and all of the rest of us whom he re-christened will think of him whenever these names are used. Nicknames were not the only thing Dave was talented at creating, he also dabbled in songwriting. Dave would make up all sorts of melodies and write different lyrics to them. My personal favorite was one he made up while he was getting ready for bed one evening. He walked out of the bathroom holding his toothbrush and singing "I'll clean my teeth and I'll belong to you, You'll clean your teeth and you''ll belong to me". He was always coming up with new ways of charming the ladies. :)
David had a well earned reputation as being a very hard worker. He would wash dishes, empty the dishwasher, cut logs, mow the grass, trim the bushes, and still want to find more ways he could help around the house. He would constantly tell myself and all of the other assistants on our team that we deserved a break. One night, when our dishwasher was broken David came up to me and informed me he was "on strike". He then dryed all of the recently washed dishes and put them away before going outside to chop logs. Even when he was "on strike" David worked very hard. He was always so active. Whether it was speed walking around the neighborhood, kicking the football over the fence and running around to fetch it, working away in the garden project, playing his guitar and his accordion, singing and dancing in his new Scottish digs, or laughing the morning away watching Scooby Doo, David was a man who lived life to the fullest.
David also had an incredible ability to lift up those around him. I will never forget one particular evening in Suaimhneas when we were having a very rough time in he house. I remember sitting down and feeling so overwhelmed and upset then out of nowhere David burst through the sitting room door wearing a beret, holding a baguette, and shouting "UP FRANCE!" in his big booming voice. I couldn't help but laugh. I went to bed that night with a big smile on my face and thanking God for David. He was able not only to find joy in such simple things, but to spread that joy to those he encountered each and every day. I know that I will carry that joy in heart whenever I remember my dear friend. While it is so hard to say goodbye to someone we all loved so much, I know that this is not really the end for Dave. He is safe and happy resting in the arms of our loving God. I'm sure just as he was durring in life, that he is still praying for each of us, for his family members, and for all of the other L'Arche communities. I can just imagine that if we are blessed enough to reach heaven that David will be waitting at the pearly gates to greet us wearing his kilt and welcoming us each with open arms and many handshakes.
When Maria asked me to write and share some of my memories of David, I had no idea where to begin. Talking about him in the past tense still seems so strange to me. I still feel like if I were to ring Suaimnheas tomorrow I would get to hear him say "HELLO CATIE-LAND!" I was blessed enough to get to spend 15 months sharing life with Dave in Suaimhneas, and during that time he taught me so much about friendship, laughter, and love. We all have so many great memories of our dear friend, I hope that somehow reading a few of mine will be comforting.
One of my favorite things about Dave was his welcoming spirit. Whether you were a friend, a family member, a neighbor, a stranger walking down the street, or even one of the neighborhood dogs, Dave was always ready to greet you with handshakes and a smile. If you were really lucky he might even assign you a new nickname. I know that Uncle Fred. Sylba, Happy Marie, Katie L'Arche, Maria Lasagna, Nicold, and all of the rest of us whom he re-christened will think of him whenever these names are used. Nicknames were not the only thing Dave was talented at creating, he also dabbled in songwriting. Dave would make up all sorts of melodies and write different lyrics to them. My personal favorite was one he made up while he was getting ready for bed one evening. He walked out of the bathroom holding his toothbrush and singing "I'll clean my teeth and I'll belong to you, You'll clean your teeth and you''ll belong to me". He was always coming up with new ways of charming the ladies. :)
David had a well earned reputation as being a very hard worker. He would wash dishes, empty the dishwasher, cut logs, mow the grass, trim the bushes, and still want to find more ways he could help around the house. He would constantly tell myself and all of the other assistants on our team that we deserved a break. One night, when our dishwasher was broken David came up to me and informed me he was "on strike". He then dryed all of the recently washed dishes and put them away before going outside to chop logs. Even when he was "on strike" David worked very hard. He was always so active. Whether it was speed walking around the neighborhood, kicking the football over the fence and running around to fetch it, working away in the garden project, playing his guitar and his accordion, singing and dancing in his new Scottish digs, or laughing the morning away watching Scooby Doo, David was a man who lived life to the fullest.
David also had an incredible ability to lift up those around him. I will never forget one particular evening in Suaimhneas when we were having a very rough time in he house. I remember sitting down and feeling so overwhelmed and upset then out of nowhere David burst through the sitting room door wearing a beret, holding a baguette, and shouting "UP FRANCE!" in his big booming voice. I couldn't help but laugh. I went to bed that night with a big smile on my face and thanking God for David. He was able not only to find joy in such simple things, but to spread that joy to those he encountered each and every day. I know that I will carry that joy in heart whenever I remember my dear friend. While it is so hard to say goodbye to someone we all loved so much, I know that this is not really the end for Dave. He is safe and happy resting in the arms of our loving God. I'm sure just as he was durring in life, that he is still praying for each of us, for his family members, and for all of the other L'Arche communities. I can just imagine that if we are blessed enough to reach heaven that David will be waitting at the pearly gates to greet us wearing his kilt and welcoming us each with open arms and many handshakes.