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Monday, May 16, 2011

Daily Photo ~ 5-16-11

Larry’s Barn

   This barn is right next door to the Teaford’s barn I posted last week...right across the road from us. Larry was the best friend a neighbor could have. He, his three brothers, and a sister grew up in the house we bought 34 years ago so he knew it inside and out. No matter what I needed done he was Johnny-on-the-Spot to do it. When I got the mower stuck on a rock or rocks - and that was more that one time - he woud stop what he was doing, walk across the road, and do whatever it took to get it off...and sometimes we had to create Roman type systems to get it free and running again. Once when I got a piece of furniture wedged between the wall and the railing trying to bring it downstairs by myself...I can be so stupid... and he came right over and bailed me out before Buddy got home from work and caught me in my disaster. The last thing he did was put us in a new mailbox out at the road. 


   Larry died last summer after years and years of pain due to diabetes and all the drugs he had to take for his transplanted heart which he served him well for almost 15 years. He was amazing. None of these killed him. It was a sudden onset of cancer of the eye, and it was so sad. Until the day he passed away, he shaved, would get Jimmy, his brother, to help him out of the hospital bed and into his recliner, and Jimmy would walk him to the bathroom. He refused a feeding tube and would goes days without food, but then suddenly he would be able to eat a bit. Jimmy would dribble water in his mouth and feel him bits of food. On good days Larry would talk to us on the phone, but he would not allow any of us into the room. He did not want us to be frightened by what we were going to see. He fought the good fight with the character of a true gentleman and Christian. He loved us and we loved him. 


   He was a Viet Nam veteran who had to fight and fight the federal government over many, many years to finally get his rightful financial compensation for being sprayed with Agent Orange. He was also a son, a father, a grandfather, and a husband, but most of all he was our special friend. His old green mower sits where he left it, and the basketball net sits alone and unused. We miss him so much. Thankfully, his brothers and sisters are keeping the house and are going to use it when they all gather here for hunting season and family gatherings. It is the house they moved to when they sold this one to the people who sold it to us. One of these days I will share it with you.


"Friendship is like a violin; the music may stop now and then, 
but the strings will last forever.”
~Author Unknown



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27 comments:

  1. I think the red barn is gorgeous to the green lawn. :)

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  2. Genie -- this is a lovely tribute to you friend! And he really WAS a true friend wasn't he? I'm sure he thought the same thing about y'all~ I am glad that the family is keeping the place and I'm glad the beautiful barn is there to remind you of the happy times as neighbors to this fine gentleman.

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  3. Larry sounded like one of those wonderful human beings that everyone would love as a neighbor. I'm so sorry for his loss but he would have enjoyed reading your loving tribute. That is a beautiful barn.

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  4. it's a beautiful little barn. i'm glad you got to share time with larry. he sounds like a wonderful man. glad his family will still be near.

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  5. Will try this again...having trouble with some blogs...

    I like this barn, but I love the post itself even better.

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  6. How blessed you were to know and love Larry. This is a beautiful barn and a very touching tribute. It's a pleasure to find your blogs.

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  7. What a wonderful story about your friend Larry. Beautiful red bard. Great post.

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  8. I love the barn, and even better is your tribute to Larry!

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  9. What a wonderful man and friend he must have been. He is so obviously very deeply missed and this post is a wonderful testament to him and to what it means to be a good neighbour.

    Hugs
    ~Andrea~

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  10. A very interesting barn with the storage/garage an intricate part of the design rather than an added lean to. Nice paint too. The basketball goal clues us in to the size. Nice post.

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  11. What a vibrant red barn! It seems fitting that the one who owned it lived his life in a vibrant way to the fullest even to the end.
    Lovely post!

    Carletta@Round The Bend

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  12. Such a beautiful tribute to Larry. The barn looks sad to me after reading the story. But life has to move on as you've said they will use this for hunting season and family gatherings this place is awesome for that event. Thanks for sharing!!
    Hummingbird

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  13. Larry is really a wonderful person. He must be in a beautiful place right now.

    The red barn is lovely!
    Thanks for dropping by, Genie

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  14. Wonderful neighbors, both the barn and Larry!

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  15. Very nice tribute to Larry. Such a nice little barn too.

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  16. Oh my goodness, that story put big ol tears in my eyes... nothing beats having such wonderful & trustworthy neighbors... Rest in Peace, Larry, & God bless you! =)

    It's a beautiful big ol red barn & perfect for Barn Charm!!! =)

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  17. Very peaceful scene, love the overall contrast here

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  18. What a great way to make use of a barn

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  19. Such gorgeous shot!

    Hope you don't mind peeking at my Ruby Tuesday, thanks!

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  20. A very touching post. This man would be thrilled that you honored him in this fashion. That photo of the barn would be so pretty framed. I love it.

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  21. What a sweet building, and a wonderful tribute to such a good neighbor.

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  22. Old red barns have a special place in my heart.

    DID SOMEONE MENTION SCARLET?

    Did someone mention scarlet
    Or was it red I heard?
    Perhaps it was a varlet
    Or a vermilion bird
    That shouted out the color
    That’s dearest to my heart.
    (It makes me feel much duller
    If red is not a part.)


    © 2011 by Magical Mystical Teacher


    Rusty Red Reflection

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  23. What a wonderful friend you had in Larry....I had one also, his name was Pete and he was Mr. Fix It! I also lost him to cancer that came on all too soon! I am sure there is a special place for our handy men in heaven! BEAUTIFUL barn! Just perfection! Sandy

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  24. The beautiful tribute you wrote about your friend Larry made this pic even more beautiful to see!
    Blessings,
    ~Myrna
    ps. Thank you so much for praying for my mom &granddaughter

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