Tuesday, April 14, 2009

Camp Krem

As many of you know, when Jack was a teenager, he volunteered as a camp counsellor at a camp for mentally retarded kids and teens. It was called Camp Krem. He spoke fondly of those times and had some fun and interesting stories to tell about those summers. The other day, a person he worked with at the camp mailed me this photo of Jack that was taken one summer. It includes the infamous red bandana that I keep hearing about. And it shows his caring and helpful nature. AND it shows Jack with hair!!

This image was also used in some pamphlets for the camp as well. Thanks for the photo, Frances!

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

More Posts Coming

First, thank you to everybody who came to Jack's memorial service. It was really fitting for him, and the diversity of attendees was wonderful.

I've gotten some emails from folks of things to post on the blog. I've also been given a link for a site that his co-worker at AT&T put up. I still haven't had a chance to go out and look at it. I promise, I will post these soon. But not today. The fact that he is gone is really beginning to set in for me. I really miss him.

Saturday, April 4, 2009

Memorial Today

Today is Jack's memorial service. While it's good to have friends and family around, it's so hard to believe that today is the day to say good-bye to him. I expect there to be tears and laughter. And food.

As a reminder, if you're planning to attend, services are at the Woodinville Unitarian Universalist Church, 19020 NE Woodinville-Duvall Rd, Woodinville, WA. (It's near Cottage Lake.) Services are planned for 12:30 to 3:00 this afternoon.

Hope to see you there.

Thursday, April 2, 2009

"Jimbo"

Back when Jack was a teenager, he wound up becoming a camp counsellor for 2 summers at a camp for developmentally delayed youth. He was known as Jimbo back then. It was an experience that he remembered for the rest of his life, and he would periodically talk to me of his experiences there. Today, I received an email from somebody who he worked at the camp. Here is the email he sent to me:

I just received an e-mail about ‘Jimbo’ aka Jack and just wanted to say I had a lot of fond memories of him while he was at Camping Unlimited…years ago I was a counselor there when he appeared, smiling, hairy, inquisitive and ready to help…he took to camp like a duck to water…camp was different & so was he…he loved the campers, made quick friends with the counselors and was always ready with a song and a laugh. Jimbo was there because it was fun, it was necessary and it was important…I know that somewhere he is in that special place, meeting old friends and greeting campers that have been waiting for him…
…I will look forward to re-kindling our friendship someday…
Gabriel Michael