Ron Natale
I am going to speak from my heart as if I was talking to Randy....
Well Porter, this was a kick in the gut to hear about you. My thoughts went immediately to the many times we worked together at Eldredge. The times sitting in the lunch room and the, what you called healthy concoctions, you had for lunch. The times we would take a break and you would tell me of your catastrophes and my comparison of you to the Lil Abner character Joe Btfsplk. I would tell you there wasn't an accident that you didn't have. Or how many times you came back from hunting with nothing more than a wet butt and hungry gut and I would tell you that you bagged more deer with your car than you did with your rifle. How about the times I would never let you near anything electrical and how you would come and get me after the fact with tripped breakers and floating grounds. I made fun of you a lot and you gave it right back to me.
Let me tell you Randy, I don't know how to measure a man but a good start is a hearty smile and a good heart draped with a good sense of humour and with the fortitude to rise to the occasion when needed. Your were that and more. I want you to know that my friendship with you at Eldredge was a bright spot and I also want you to know that I thought of you after you left and then after I left. I would be MIG welding in my shop and after making a pass that wasn't so good I would say, out loud, glad you weren't there to see it but when I made good welds I would equally say, where the hell were you to see how good it was? Remember when you tried to teach me to weld overhead? My head kept getting in the way of the weld when falling to the floor....glad I could make you laugh and I would give anything to hear you berate me one more time.
I am so terribly sorry that the last time we talked, we talked about Kim and I coming down to see you and Dottie but life got in the way, to jump in my time machine and rectify that would be welcome but it won't happen, I haven't finished building it.
I could go on reminiscing with you, Randy, but then, I am sure the space is limited here. I am reminded that with any good book or movie, there is always an end. Sometimes, we wish that it wouldn't and would just continue on but then that isn't realistic, the song ends and the dance stops and we are left with a smile both happy and bitter sweet.
I'll see you on the other side some day, God and the Universe willing and we will sit and have that shot of Crown Royal.
To Dottie and family, I hope I haven't crossed a line but I wanted to share with others what is in my heart and soul and I wanted to share what our friendship was like on some small scale.. I respected Randy and will miss him as I know you shall as well. May God Bless you all and comfort your loss and know that someday, you shall share each others company in a place filled with peace and love.
Ron Natale
