Another dreadful
Friday in the books and I know BJ won't mind sharing the Forget-YOU-Not Friday
spotlight with his Uncle Ronnie. An uncle he didn't really know. I say
"dreadful Friday", because I have had another notification of loss.
That sinking feeling in your heart when you lose your breath, you are overcome
with feelings of "oh my God, no, it can't be true", and all you can
do is cry. Cry and shed more tears of a-n-o-t-h-e-r loss; a-n-o-t-h-e-r
dreadful Friday notification.
Ronnie, as he was
known by his siblings, was the oldest boy of the Antonsen clan. He moved to
Utah early in his adult life, where he raised two great kids. He was a long
haul truck driver for many years, loved tinkering on classic cars, and had a
love for Jack…Jack Daniels that is! That was the case with many long haul
drivers in the 70's and 80's…it just was. One would say he lived a typical life
of a truck driver for his era, and they lived a "hard life". Ronnie
was no exception to that. One would also say that he lived a long life, for the
style he lived. My oldest brother was born on September 25, 1949 and left earth
on April 14, 2017. As I get older, 67 years old just doesn't seem all that old
anymore!
I didn't see my
brother all that often nor did we talk on the phone often, but he did know I
had very fond memories of him. I am thirteen years younger than him, so I don't
really have memories of us living together as kids, but he knew he was
"one of my favorites", mostly because he was just always fun!
When I was around
ten we lived in Vale, Oregon and so did my sister Nancy and brother Ronnie, and
their families. I remember one snowy winter day we were all bundled up out by
one of the bare fields playing in the snow. Ronnie got this bright idea that he
could tow us younger kids around on an old car hood behind a tractor. We were kids…of course we thought it was an
awesome idea! The only other thing I remember about that is when I was on the
hood and Ronnie thought it would be fun to spin me in circles….well, as the
story goes…those circles became faster and faster, until Peggy went flying off
the "sled" (car hood). I only
recall that I hit my head and so the fun ended. :(
After he and his
family moved to the Salt Lake area and Mom and Dad had moved us to the
Centralia, WA. area and finally settling in the tiny town of Rochester; I
recall Ronnie stopping by to see us in his "big truck". I loved that! It was great to see him! He was
fun and funny! One time mom and dad let
me ride to Aberdeen, Montesano, or one of those Washington Coastal places…in
the big truck with him. That was so fun! It seems we were picking up Ocean
Spray, but I'm certainly not sure; however, I think of him every time I see the
Ocean Spray commercials and those guys standing in the water of cranberries.
So, that is my story and why I think it must have been Ocean Spray we were off
to pick up or deliver that day. For me, it was just fun being with my big
brother in his big truck!
In the late 90's
when I was on a family vacation with my own family, I had the opportunity to
visit Ronnie and Cindy at their home in Utah. Even though, we only stopped in
for the night, it was great to visit with them, see his projects, and see his
home. By that time, he had given up truck driving and was a welder by trade. By
this time, he had given up booze (for some fifteen years, I am told). My
understanding is he took up with "Jack" again after our mother went
"Home" in 2002. Sometimes it's just hard to give up old habits and
old ways. I don't think he would apologize for it, it is who he was and often
the drinking got the better of him. I do think he had a good heart, he loved
life, and he was a good brother to me. Ronnie, I love you forever. I was
planning to make another stop by and sleep over this summer on my way to
Colorado and let you meet my little man. I'm sorry I no longer have that
opportunity. Rest in peace dear brother. You will always remain in my heart.
Three weeks later…
We are off to Salt
Lake City (SLC) to spend a little time with Ronnie's kids and grand kids. I
loaded up the car, two sisters, and a niece and we were off. We left on a Thursday, spent the night in
Ontario, Oregon where we got to spend a couple of hours with our two oldest
"seesters"! It was the first
time we had been together in eleven years; since the passing of our
"daddy". It was a joy to my
heart to be with all of them, at the same time; share some food, share some
laughter, and shed a few tears…knowing that this could be the last time we
would all be together. Time has a funny way of slipping away, we all have our
own families, and we live miles apart.
Sometimes we have to be satisfied that sometimes the dearest ones to us
live in our hearts, in our memories, in our thoughts; but they are not always
within reach BUT they are only a phone call away, a Facebook message away, a
memory away.
On a delightful,
sunny Friday morning we were off to Salt Lake City and looking forward to time
with family we rarely get to see! The trip did not disappoint. It was fun from
the time we all got in the car to the time we arrived back home. The OCD and yet
fun gal I am…decided it was a great idea to make a scavenger hunt for each of
my passengers! Something fun, interactive, and very "kid like" and it
was! They all assumed I had lost my mind when I handed out
"individualized" hunts and highlighters when we were a few miles east
on I-84…Eastbound and Down! Yes, I played that old tune in Ronnie's memory as
we began our journey east.
We arrived in SLC
early afternoon on Friday, May 5th…Cinco De Mayo…our niece Dawn's (Ronnie's
daughter) birthday! We met up with two nephews, checked into the hotel, had
lunch, and found our way to our great niece's home and enjoyed an evening of
family, beer, and lots and lots of memories and stories! This was a DELIGHTFUL
Friday!!! I am finding the desire to have a delightful Friday for every
dreadful one. Today as I am writing this, I am anxiously looking forward to
going out for coffee with a neighbor, going to some garden shops, and working
in my flower garden…another Delightful Friday!
Saturday in SLC
began with sleeping in…for a few of us…others were up at the crack of dawn and
off to help with a yard and Man Sale at my brother's house. After sleeping in,
enjoying breakfast, and loading up on coffee the rest of us went to Ronnie's
house. He had a ton of tools and Man stuff for sale, a bit of household stuff,
and many hand built birdhouses. I bought two "cowboy boot"
birdhouses; one for me and one for Bryan…I love them! Late afternoon and early evening we went to
my nephew, David's (Ronnie's son) home and BBQ'd, enjoyed more stories, and
observed the "Utah kids" teaching the youngest kids how to trap
snails in a ring of salt and…well, you can guess! All in all, it was a fun trip!
A quick trip, a priceless time with family, and lots of scenery along the way!
Thank you, BJ, for
sharing this Forget-YOU-Not Friday with your Uncle! And, if you are together
right now, give him a BIG hug for me! Love you both….
No comments:
Post a Comment