Story: by Karen & Sandy Bartlett

A long time ago my mom told me that she and Dad had us in groups of two; Bruce & Keith, Karen & Gary and Judy & Steve. That way we would always have a playmate while growing up. Gary was my playmate...

Sandy and I were so honored when Gary came to live with us. Several people said we were a blessing for Gary... no, Gary was a blessing to us. We've learned so much in the last year and a half...

To me death is somewhat like a baby being born—all the work that little body goes through, and the strangeness it must feel being pushed into a new existence by the very body that has kept it safe and warm. BIRTH! It seems too me death is like this in as much as all the work a body goes through; and the strangeness ones spirit or sole must feel being pushed into a new existence by the very body that has kept it safe & warm . BIRTH into a place without pain only—love, joy and laughter…Gary ought to fit right in!

For those of you that are wondering, he never lost his laugh nor his outstanding wit and sense of humor that would get that thunderous laugh rolling. All of the medical staff that had contact with Gary fell in love with him. He liked to make them laugh and his attitude was...amazing. I never heard him ask,” why me?” What I did hear were things like; (while choking down a handful of pills) “Ahhh … SKITTLES … yummy, HAHAHA!” The last time his hospice nurse, Marjie, was at our home (she had given up her lunch time to come and re-adjust his pain meds.) She stopped as she was leaving, her eyes filled with tears...she told us that if he needed anything just to call and she'd be there. Can you imagine doing that day in and day out? What a woman of devotion!

Gary was a man of devotion and humility. He was a man of honor, truth, courage and strength. Gary was given a gift of abundant grace... how you climb up a mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. So it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big gigantic test, followed by one big gigantic lesson, and in the end, it all comes down to one word—grace. It's how you accept winning and losing… good luck and bad luck… the darkness and the light.

Gary's grace didn't fail him...he did what he could to protect his treasures (his kids, family and friends) from the pain of loosing him. Tears may make others uncomfortable but crying is good for you. It's the unshed tears that make your head, heart and stomach hurt. Falling tears wash out some of the pain.

I'd like to say to all Gary's Treasures, “save your fork, something better’s coming!” And we'll be seeing him again.