Tomorrow, February the 9th I will be 80!  My wife and family conspired to have a surprise birthday party for me yesterday.  I knew my family was coming in to celebrate Cade’s, my grandson’s, birthday so it was a complete surprise to me!  Family came in from far and wide to help in the celebration!  I should have suspected something when Sherelene started moving in extra card tables and chairs, but I never dreamed they were doing it for me!  I have to admit that is was a wonderful out pouring out of love and I appreciate it, but don’t deserve such wonderful attention!  My brother’s wife Terri, a incredible photographer herself, was the hit of the party with cookies she created, baked and shared with the group!

 

 

 

 

 

AI at it’s finest!  Thank to all the wonderful family and friends that have reached out to celebrate this occasion!

 

Blessings,

 

the pilgrim

 

Jim holding court!

 

Jim Sugar was born on Febuary 8th, 1946 at 9:00 p.m.  That was a fact I learned while we drove together to Apple’s headquarters in Cupertino for a meeting with Apple Execs.  We were viewing Apple’s new digital camera and the beginning of a new era!! I learned that fact about Jim when we were arguing over who was the oldest!  When he told me that I didn’t believe it, I was born 9 hours later on February 9th at 6:00 a.m.  For the last 30 years I’ve called Jim on the evening his birthday and said, “I’m sure glad I’m not as old as you!” Laughs all around!  We became very close over those years and I was always proud to call such a great guy and incredible photographer, a dear friend.  Sadly we lost Jim last year.  The photo above is a great depiction of who Jim was, a brilliant shooter and a great teacher, always thrilled to share his vast knowledge!

 

It was best said, that it is not what you accomplished in life but who you affected for good!  If that is true, and I believe it is, Jim knocked it out of the park, a real friend, a confident, a true brother from a different mother!  Thank you Jim for the inspiration, the friendship and encouragement!  I hope you will meet me at the gate in Heaven!

 

Thank you from a blessed man, a man you blessed!

 

the pilgrim

 

P.S.  Jim would you do me a favor, would  you rub Chester’s ears for me!

Photo by Maryanne Cherry

 

No matter what age you lose a beloved friend it’s still tough!  Chester Roscoe Fortney turned 7 last month!  That’s not that old for even a Golden!  In the last months and days he has been his normal, goofy and very active self!  Then yesterday during a normal trip out to our yard he laid down rolled in the leaves and then had a heart attack and was gone! We all love our dogs and other pets, Chester and I have been constant companions over the last several years as my travel schedule has reduced to very few trips.  When it was just him and myself at home, he was my shadow, everywhere in the house I went he was right on my heels!  Once Sherelene got home from work he switched over to being her shadow for the rest of evenings!

 

I know that he is in heaven, happy as can be, playing with all the other dogs lucky enough to be there and spending time with my son Wesley and life (everlasting) is better than just good!  I’m devastated to not have my friend here with Sherelene and I, but I’m happy that he did not suffer and die from some slow progressing illness.  As hard as it is to lose him, it would have been even worse to see my boy who gave so much to us, suffer, he certainly didn’t deserve that!

 

So, thank you Chester for being world’s greatest dog to me!  Thanks you for being so loving and caring of Sherelene and I,  for making me laugh till my sides split and so proud when you welcomed every guest into your home.  For years I’ve prayed that I would go first, knowing how difficult this would be, but I don’t question God, surely I will see him again, someday!  I love you my pal, see you then!

 

Blessings & treats,

 

Papa