here is a letter to the editor taken from yesterday's local paper. i edited some of the names...
"A quieter, sadder world without Joe
Barbara and I ate breakfast at Lee's Corner Diner last Friday. Something we do nearly every Friday.
You always know when Joe Melton is there before you go inside. You can hear him joking and laughing from out on the sidewalk. Joe laughs and talks louder than most people.
If you don't feel like talking, you can take a seat at the far end of the counter, and hope not to have to carry on a conversation. Joe might move over and sit next to you anyway. He can talk your ear off, your arm and your leg, too. If you know him, you don't have to listen too close. Chances are you have already heard it before. He talks about how lucky he is, and how he had earned a good living working for NorWest Lumber Company, and how lucky we all are to be living in this country.
He will criticize the government some, too. He likes to talk about his family, especially his grandchildren. He says it's a grandfather's privilege to spoil them even if their parents don't approve. Several times during the one-sided conversation he will tell himself, "I had better shut up now." He never does though.
Joe carries a card with his name on it and he sometimes gives it to people. It reads: "If you have never met me you haven't missed anything, but if you haven't met my Jesus you have missed everything." There is a scripture verse on it, and some instructions, too.
I sat next to him a few Fridays ago and he didn't look very well. He was frail, and had lost weight. He was still talking, though in a much softer voice.
Joe went to be with Jesus last Wednesday. Corner Diner is a quieter and sadder place now.
Turns out, if you never met Joe Melton, you missed something after all.
Dan Sharp |
