Esther Stone (Smith)

Ricky Sloan - boy you are so correct!  We all have regrets............

Marvin Chosky

I too extend my condolences to Roy's family. I didn't know him well, but did have several classes with him. He was a "Mench." I took Michael's suggestion and posted on the funeral home's web site. I also totally agree with Ricky. We wait too long to tell our friends what we should tell them now. I had some things I wanted to tell Ray that will never be said.

Richard Slone

I think it's sweet and not a little bit funny that you guys still think of me as "Ricky." I remember that Ricky guy, too, and while he was a shithead much of the time, I still retain some affection for him. He was doing the best he could.

Richard Slone

For your consideration, here's my two cents, and only two, not one or three:

I had thought to wait a few days before I shot off my mouth. Chill. Let the irritation pass. But it hasn't.

I was pissed off at the attempt, in the name of some arbitrary and  purely personal sense of propriety, to stifle the discussion. I found the posts on Roy's page to be sincere, informative  and worthwhile.

I admire the courage it takes to lay oneself open in such a public way. I am moved by the struggles of some of our old friends.

From over here it seemed that the comments were offered in the spirit of openess and sharing and love, which in my opinion trumps decorum. I detected in these comments no disrespect towards Roy's memory.  

Roy's dead. What could any of this possibly matter to him anyway? And if he is in some other place, with a wifi connection, I'm assuming he'd need a wifi connection to follow the thread, but maybe not, my guess is, reading these posts, he would as likely be pleased as offended that his former presence in this world, and current absence from it, has stimulated an honest interchange.

Joel Wingard

Well said, Richard Slone.

I remember Ricky as well: home room senior year, back row.  He is someone about whom I have wondered occasionally: Whatever became of him?  Ffrom what I've heard of/from in the last year, he seems to have become a good man.

Henry Henry (Herskovitz)

Rick's comments remind me of the lyrics to a Robert Earl Keen tune ...

Is there wireless in heaven? I just wanna know.
Do I need a password to log in when I go?
And does Jesus have a website to send in my e-mail?
Is there wireless in heaven, or do I go to hell?

Robbie Schneider

“Never never never give up.” – Winston Churchill

Even though you may feel so much pain that you don’t know how you’re going to survive, keep fighting to live another day. It may feel as though you are living in a nightmare and feel completely hopeless, but continue to push through each day.  By never giving up you are essentially building inner strength and resilience that nobody can ever take away.

When giving up seems like the easiest option and odds are stacked against you, always keep pushing and always keep going. The resistance from fighting our suicidal feelings often accumulates, and we feel as though we will collapse.  Sometimes life challenges us to keep going even when we feel as though recovery is impossible.

Jaquelin Bazell (Mejak)

While speaking, last week to my childhood & still today beloved best friend..the wife of one of our classmates..we spoke of New Years resolutions in the context of Roy's passing.  The only resolution, I said, was to finally, after soon to be 70, is to live my truth and to know my life matters.  Yes, our lives matter that I know.  The following are my written thoughts in 2002 when my beloved Aunt Dolly Krause, my adopted mother, passed:

The Suitcase

My suitcase is packed I'm on way home to family and friends,

So much has changed these past forty years, I'm trying so hard to bury the fears.

I'm all tucked away in my little room in the back, listening to voices of loved one downstairs.

Time to open my suitcase, lest I forget, there was so much to carry, so much to forget.

One by one I hang up each piece and say, remain calm, let go for now you are free.

There it is right on top, as I unpack each piece, loneliness, heartache, loss fear and shame.

One by one, trying so hard as I look at these things, just one more piece, the baggaged called pain.

I loved them so much, the ones who left me.  But, I just wasn't good enough, they didn't want me.

The voices are coming closer I hear, each walking the stairs of home so dear.  Our loss is so great  of the mother we loved, now we are here together as one.

Do you have time to help me unpack, I say.  I pray that you do, as I look into their eyes and plea.

I'm so very tired, you see, for I do come with baggage, but will wonder always, will you still want me? 

Michael Brourman

Absolutely wonderful, Jaquelin. 

Was Dolly Lew's mother?

Jaquelin Bazell (Mejak)

Thank you Michael..yes, Lew's mother.  Aunt Dolly was my mother's youngest sister.