todd,,,,,good to see you post once again,,,,
by the early hour can we assume you are home?
or has there been a library takeover?!?

thinking of matt, and of todd, and of the toddyssey, and I offer this coda of sorts:

many years ago, I sat down at a desk for my last period of the day of the first day of high school. I sat next to a chinese fellow named john, who from that day forward became my closest friend... I soon became a regular fixture at the Lee household, and was graciously accepted into the family by Mrs. Lee and by the eccentric Mr. Lee. Mr. Lee was quite wealthy, having built up a profitable restaurant business in midtown manhattan (anyone ever eat at Pearls?), but never displayed the trappings of wealth. Instead it went to family and friends and friends of friends. Many people from China were brought to this country thru Mr. Lee's generosity. Whenever a family occassion or holiday was celebrated, you could count on Mrs. Lee to cook up a feast (actually a chinese banquet), and Mr. Lee to be the smiling, jovial host to all.
I was present for many happy (and some not so happy) milestones with the Lee family over the years... The quiet popularity and goodwill spread by Mr. Lee was evidenced about 2 years ago when Mr. Lee threw an 80th birthday party for himself (and his wife, who while not actually 80, he could not celebrate without her as a primary part of the day) There were about 500 people at the party... people whose lives had forever been changed because of Mr. and Mrs. Lee. It was a grand celebration.
It was with great sadness that I returned from my florida vacation two months ago, to the news that Mr. Lee had suffered a massive stroke, and passed away. He had just taken on the role of caretaker for his wife who was herself battling an insidious bone cancer. I had arrived home too late for the funeral memorial, too late to speak my goodbyes...
Yesterday came the news that Mrs. Lee has followed her husband, after her valient struggle against a merciless disease... I didn't feel the same sadness this time... Even though this woman was like a second mother to me... I was glad her suffering was at an end, and her new life back together with Mr. Lee would now begin...
So Matt has some excellent company, and a chance at some really good banquets now!
Let the good times roll!

todd,s home!!!todd,s home!!!todd,s home!!!<img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/bounce.gif" width=31 height=31>
Arnie the Lee,s acts of kindness will be remembered for a long time I,m sure......
Cancer is a nasty disease that has touched everyone,s family and/or friends....
At times I wonder why the treatments havent really changed in years,,,,,

life has a way of mixing good with bad...and this thread seems to be a celebration of life and love....

and afterall, when you really come down to it....what else is there?

here's to sharing this as a family....which is what we are (for better or worse!)

love and strength,
sherry

Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people move our souls to dance.
They awaken us to new understanding with the passing whisper of their wisdom.
Some people make the sky more beautiful to gaze upon.
They stay in our lives for awhile, leave footprints on our hearts
And we are never, ever the same.

I missed having you at the Spring Revival. You have left your imprint on my heart! It is in celebration that I'm thinking of you.

Love ya Todd!

wow! good to see folks.

you too todd <img src="http://www.arlo.net/ubb/smilies/smile.gif" width=15 height=15> (been thinking of you)

thanks too, sparky and arnie for sharing your thoughts on your friends.

As per Todd's request, I shall close this thread.But it's just the end of a chapter, not the book!

<center><FONT COLOR="#000080">--- Edited 1 times, lastly by Larry on May 30, 2002 ---</FONT></center>