Jerry was a great friend! We met when I began working at Boeing 8 years ago. He was smart, funny and so kind. Jerry helped me to learn the in and outs of my job. He was always helping someone (me especially). Jerry continued to help me after I left BT&E and went to CAS. I could always count on him. We became steadfast friends. It wasn’t instant because Jerry did keep to himself but once you got to know him the flood gates opened and this wonderful person appeared. The most thoughtful, funny, goofy and all around remarkable guy you could always count on and looked forward to seeing.
When Jerry’s grandma was really sick and he knew there wasn’t much time left for her. Jerry made the time to go be with her and take her on car rides and to special places he thought she might like. He wanted to be there for his grandma. He talked about how special she was to him.
Jerry knew I loved dogs and told me about the Great Danes his family rescued, mostly his mom he would tell me. I would tell him I loved Great Danes and he would laugh and say they were big dogs that left huge piles. We would go back and forth about the dogs. I knew he was just giving me a bad time and that he loved those dogs.
Strange things would happen and Jerry would say…”Cindy this is Jerry” which always meant to expect the unexpected because only these things happened to him. Jerry would say you know I was born on February 29th which he explained started his journey of oddity. I would just laugh and say it saved me money because I didn’t have to take him out to lunch for his birthday as often…He would just grin.
One day Jerry decided he was going to create his own unique look, to be a person that stands out in the crowd. He started wearing ties to work every day. It didn’t matter what he was wearing or if it matched he wore a tie. Then one day he had on a beanie hat. I asked him why he was wearing it. Jerry told me it was part of his “style”…I just laughed and said whatever Jerry! That is just one thing that made Jerry so extraordinary. He wasn’t afraid to be different, to step out of his comfort zone and make a statement. There was never a dull moment when you were friends with Jerry.
He loved when he traveled for work! But not for the reasons you would think Jerry would tell me the first thing he was going to do was order a great big steak! I always thought that was so funny. He would tell me while he was on a trip “guess what I had for breakfast?” I would say what? Jerry would say “steak and eggs” He thought that was so great! What a funny guy.
On another past trip Jerry told me he was looking forward to it because he was going to see his sister. The job was close so he felt it would be the perfect time for a visit. Jerry wanted to become closer to his sister and thought this was a great opportunity.
Hiking and the outdoors were in Jerry’s soul. He would tell me of his great adventures. Jerry told me once about being chased by a bear! I wouldn’t believe him so he sent me a picture of what happened to his leg. He set out to do a weekend camping trip and bought a new sleeping bag and all weather tent that he was very proud of. I told him it was too cold out and Jerry said “nope” he was prepared and had bought the needed equipment. Off he went on his camping trip. Very rarely would Jerry just stay home. He was always off exploring, discovering, and experiencing something new. I admired that about Jerry. What can I say but that Jerry was amazing. Nothing stopped him.
A couple years ago Jerry was having some pain in his feet. The doctor recommended him doing some stretching. Instead he joined a yoga class and was pretty skeptical at first and would tell me some pretty funny stories of the things he couldn’t do. But Jerry stuck it out and was proud that he was becoming more flexible. One day he said “guess what? I can finally touch my toes in yoga!”
He would talk about his past working in the film industry. This is when Jerry really lit up! Boy did Jerry love to tell stories and dreamed of making movies. Jerry said some day he would make the epic movie. He always talked of life like it was a movie. He would tell me when I was talking about something that happened, “Hey that would make a great movie!” His perspective of life was as one big movie with all the twists and turns of a great adventure. I wish that I some great movie quote because Jerry would always quote something I never heard of, but I don’t…dang it. Sorry Jerry.
Jerry was a great story teller and would make me laugh all the time with the wild things he came up with. I would tell him… “Jerry come on” and we would laugh!
Then he met a girl…He was infatuated but cautious. Jerry didn’t know what to think of this girl. She was a mystery to him. His instinct was to play it cool and not to push anything too fast. He was always second guessing himself when it came to her. What should he do or not do? We talked many hours on the ups and downs of his relationship with her. He was happy one minute and sad the next. This relationship was a rollercoaster for Jerry. He didn’t understand it at all.
Jerry was suffering…but trying to pull himself out of it. He so wanted to move on, get stronger and become the person he thought people wanted him to be. I would tell him he was perfect just the way he was and if someone couldn’t see that then it was their loss. Jerry never thought people could see him, that he just blended in, that he was some how invisible. He so wanted to be special. He couldn’t see that he already was an extraordinarily special person. He didn’t need to change anything about himself, he was perfect just the way he was….
We were both struggling with different things in our lives at different times and stood fast as support for each other. I would have never expected the first day I met Jerry the impact he would leave on my life. He was a great friend and I will never forget him and will always have a place in my heart for him.
My grandson saw me crying and asked me what I was crying about. I told him I miss my friend Jerry because he had died. He said, “Mama it is ok you will see him in heaven”.
I am convinced and look forward to seeing him again someday, somehow…I believe we will meet again. I know Jerry will be there to greet me! Until then Jerry I will keep you safe in my heart!
So this is not good bye but see you later my friend!
Love always,
Cindy