Rainbow's battle has ended

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Thu Oct 02, 2008 8:29 pm

I was overwhelmed last night when I came to the boards and saw all of your wonderful comments for me and feelings expressed for the loss of Rainbow. It was indeed very comforting to me.

I must say that it was an effortless task that I signed on for when Rick asked me to post what was going on with him. It gave me a wonderful opportunity to get to know everyone here much better and for all of you to know me better. As far as calling him every day, that's what friends are for. I looked forward to our brief phone calls every night. I learned how easy it was to make such an impact on another's person's life. Kindness and understanding is all that it took. Effortless.

I was fortunate to also get to know two of his closest trucker buddies, and they are both great guys that I'm so happy to have met by phone contact. These guys and all of you are his family. That we all share this sadness together means so much to me. Thank you, everyone, for being there for Rainbow Rick and for me, too.

As I retreated to my hot tub last night to melt the day away, I got an overwhelming feeling of appreciation for all of you and started thinking that it's a very true fact that people can become close friends with people that they've never met face to face. Strange, but true. We're all living proof of that.

I also thought, Abe, that Rick would have something amusing to add to my tribute to him. I'm hoping that his presence will be felt when I'm struggling with my writing, looking for just that bit of humor to be added.

I wish that his children would've put aside their differences and reconciled with him and come to his aid when he needed them so badly as he lay staring at the ceiling day after day not knowing if they'd show. It was a slow torture for him, and it was a blessing that he was finally called home peacefully.

ALL OF YOU are his family, and I extend my condolences to every one of you, too. We've all learned how precious our time on earth is. Time should not be wasted on things that don't matter. It's much easier to smile than it is to frown. And laughing is a great medicine for what ails you.

Although cards didn't get through to him, he knew that they were sent and he knew that all of you cared. I made sure to tell him every night, never knowing if it'd be the last chance.

Rick was quite a special guy. He appreciated every one of you so much. He enjoyed life and he enjoyed the humor of life. We're all better off for knowing this colorful character who touched our lives so briefly, yet left such an indelible mark.
_________________
Helen Wisocki
www.innocencebetrayedbyclergy.com
www.freewebs.com/helenwisocki

Guest

Helen,

I told my husband about Rainbow, how we had similar symptoms, how I knew I could have had the same diagnosis as Rainbow. The cancer diagnosis brought us devastation, but here I am alive and Rainbow is not. Life and death are such mysteries. I am saddened and wish things could have been otherwise, and somehow cancer has lost some of the devastation. Tomorrow I will again awaken, breathe, and be here.

I think of Rainbow and how he lost his wife and the other sadness in his life, but he brought us joy and friendship.

Thank you for letting us know all that happened and all you did for him.

Carol

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Fri Oct 03, 2008 12:38 am

Oh, Carol! What a story you have! To feel grateful for having cancer. I can't even imagine how you feel. I am so sorry that you have had to face this. What kind words you speak. You are such a special person. I pray that things go well for you. Thank you so much for posting today.

Love,

Helen
_________________
Helen Wisocki
www.innocencebetrayedbyclergy.com
www.freewebs.com/helenwisocki

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Mon Oct 06, 2008 2:29 pm

I'm sorry I never met Rainbow in the forums. Helen, you have been steadfast posting as a true friend. I send my prayers and condolescenses to the family as well. I get teary-eyed thinking of all the loss you have gone through. God bless you and stay true to your friends. E Smile

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:27 pm

I only knew Rainbow through this forum...and, now through the anthology. I can tell by the words of people who knew him much better--he was a special person.

One thing that struck me, though...how wonderful that his words live on, speaking for him even now.
_________________
Southern fiction with a madhatter twist...
www.rhettdevane.com

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Mon Oct 06, 2008 11:44 pm

Dear Rhett, Your story is the second one in the anthology. I loved your story of fishing. My goodness! I do love to fish. I do not think you are mad at all! Smile

I wish we lived closer to each other.

What a kind heart you have to tell such a story of love. I can see you and I floating the shallows, trolling with shrimp, drinking a nice gin and tonic, feet up on the edge, moon shining down, lots and lots and lots of mosquito spray, some cuban sandwiches in the cooler. Ah! life gets no better on an evening in Florida.
Love,
Betty
_________________
www.woofferbook.com

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Tue Oct 07, 2008 5:37 am

Yesterday my thoughts turned to Richard Baum (Rainbow) and it made me think how short life is. Sometimes we meet someone, even very briefly, whose words or presence touches us and will remain with us forever. That memory helped me overcome an impulse to harbor ill feelings about something, not really important, that could affect a friendship. People are important - things are not. Everything of value in life comes from people.

I am pleased to have made the acquaintance of so many people on this forum. I value that. Things that cause irritation are really unimportant - they don't really matter. People matter.
_________________
"To Beirut and Back"
http://www.freewebs.com/abemarch
"With every adversity there is a benefit."

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Tue Oct 07, 2008 6:36 am

That is so true Abe, and one never knows how long they have. Or how long our friends will be around for us to tell them that they mean a lot to us. And that they matter.
_________________
Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Tue Oct 07, 2008 8:44 pm

Abe you have said it well. We have to step back sometimes and consider the bigger picture and what it really means. Richard's illness really demonstrated what's important, and how we can make friends in all kinds of places and in the most wonderful ways.
Come to think of it, that's a great phrase to live by Abe. People matter.
_________________
Pam Robertson

http://andthebandplayedonmylawn.blogspot.com

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Tue Oct 07, 2008 10:31 pm

My mom--always the one with quip-wisdom--says it well.

"Live each day like it's the best you've ever had. You never know when your return ticket will be punched on the other side."

She's 91, so I listen to her.

We leave behind our stories. And, as long as someone is there to read and remember...we live on.
_________________
Southern fiction with a madhatter twist...
www.rhettdevane.com

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Thu Oct 09, 2008 6:43 pm

I heartily agree with everyone here. People are what matter the most. And sometimes it takes a tragedy like Rick's passing to realize just what's important in life.

I was anxious to read what Rick submitted to the anthology. He said it was from something he had written before, and I asked him why he didn't write something new. He didn't feel like he had many friends other than Zada and me to write about. How wrong he was! And I'm so happy that he found out before leaving this planet that he had many many friends, especially here on the boards.

Yesterday I heard from Bill who was waiting for Rick's son, David to arrive from Dubai. He said that they planned on spreading his ashes near an Indian burial ground in Laredo. And today his friend Matt called and told me how he was able to talk with David for about a half an hour, as David is now in possession of his dad's cell phone and receiving calls from his friends. He told me that I could call and talk with him while he's here in the States. And I just may do that.

Matt said that David told him that he and his dad reconciled and made peace with each other, and they expressed their love for one another. David told him that not many people could say that they lived their dreams, but his dad was one who did. He always wanted to come to America, he wanted to drive a truck, and he wanted to write a book. He was a success in making his dreams a reality. He lives forever in his published stories. How great that is!!
_________________
Helen Wisocki
www.innocencebetrayedbyclergy.com
www.freewebs.com/helenwisocki

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Fri Oct 10, 2008 3:04 am

Rick was a very special person. We were not romantically involved, but he knew I liked roses. Every email he sent had a rose .gif of one form or another included. I shall never look at roses again without thinking of Rick and smiling. His warmth and humor will live on in my memory.

The chance for reconciliation was a gift, and now his son will have good memories as well. And now Rick is at peace, his quest over.
_________________
Zada Connaway
Mother's Journals: parts 1, 2 and 3 ISBN # 1-4241-6969-0

http://www.zadaconnaway.com/

Subject: Re: Rainbow's battle has ended Tue Oct 21, 2008 9:08 pm

I talked with Rick's friend Bill today. He had a great time visiting with his son, David, for the week he spent in the States. He said that David had a lot of his father's good qualities. They shared many stories and a lot of laughs.

David decided not to cremate Rick and instead had him buried in a small Jewish cemetery in Laredo. They had a small memorial service at the site.

David sent home two boxes of memories from his dad's life, including a teddy bear that he still had from when David was a baby and a t-shirt with a picture on it of father and son. He was able to learn a lot about his dad while he went through his things in the RV. When he first saw all the clothes Rick had, he said he'd make Elton John proud!

A unique character for sure!
_________________
Helen Wisocki
www.innocencebetrayedbyclergy.com
www.freewebs.com/helenwisocki