Where We Live Our Lives

Don't believe in coincidences?

In researching my eulogy presentation (see prior blog) on James J. Ryan, my former law partner, I called up a number of things. Somehow I called up (on Google) the whole University of Cincinnati campus newspaper from October 17, 1967 which had a feature on Merlene Shaine,
http://digitalprojects.libraries.uc.edu/newsrecord/1967/1967_10_13.pdf

then a student there in art. Well, Merlene eventually married David Muth. It just so happens that I did a blog piece on David Muth, who lived and worked two blocks away from my house, after going to his "home-work funeral" two years ago.

Type in "Muth" within this blog and you will find it. I got a nice comment from a stranger in South America on the Muth blog.

How to Read This Blog

(c) 2010 F. Bruce Abel

I have gotten, I think, only two comments of any substance, in my three-plus years of blogging. One was on my blog on David Muth's funeral. Type in "muth" and read it.

David Muth

I live and work two blocks away from a "young," 61-year-old, lovely man who died January 20, 2008, in Glendale Ohio, after a fight with testicular cancer. My only regret is that I didn't spend more time with him, as our connections were one-timish and business-related. I went to his wake today and met his younger brother Michael, 51, and other family, in from all over the country.

Of course we never know the true nature of such wonderful people unless they are family. There should be a sign posted in front of the homes and businesses of such special men and women who perforce do not promote themselves to the public aggressively: "stop -- you must stop! -- if you have time to meet one of the very best persons on this planet. He will take his busy time to listen and you will be a better person yourself."

The wake was at his business, and that of his wife -- two separate but compatible businesses. The eye-examination room was converted into an impromptu theater which showed on a 21" large Apple screen, a few friends and family-members presenting their thoughts this week. One was an old-time friend who had shared a house when the two were bachelors and before each got married. Well done, well done.

The back room had wonderful food of much variety and Cokes.

Snapshots and paintings by his young, talented wife Merlene were present everywhere, testifying to the lovely man at play with his devoted dogs, on boats on the Ohio River, and otherwise. His professional accomplishments were in the form of helping the handicapped among awards from his peer group.

This wake was so much more meaningful and personal than a church service could have been, as it was in the midst of the place where David and Merlene lived their lives.

Where We Live Our Lives

Take the time to click on "Civil Society" and scroll down to read the blog "David Muth."

I like it. Of course I wrote it.

But the part I am most interested in is that both David and Merlene lived their lives where they worked. Same building. I do too. It's lovely.

Where We Live Our Lives

And I wrote this earlier in the year. What we learn when special people die.

http://natgagu.blogspot.com/search?q=david+muth