This has become a week that will be remembered for decades, maybe even a century, by people around the world, as the week the Icons died. We’ve lived through these times before. Every generation has to a certain degree. Our instant, and constant information on the events we now see unfolding may make the loss of our icons seem greater than the loss suffered by generations past.

The passing of Ed McMahon will effect a few of us in a more mature generation, but his death was quickly overshadowed by the death of Farrah.  Ed will be remembered by fans of the Johnny Carson show. He will be remembered by some who filled out that entry form religiously year after year expecting him to show up on their doorstep, and proclaim they had become a millionaire courtesy of the Publishers Clearing House. Farrah will be remembered for one quick flash of fame that began with a one-year stint on Charlie’s Angles. Her greater impression however, is one that could be summed up in the words of a country song, “A Boy Don’t Forget Something Like That.” The poster of her in that bathing suit will be remembered until her generation is gone. To later generations it is somewhat amusing that so many could have been effected by such a tame display.

No matter the impact of Ed, and Farrah, they will seem to be just a blip on the radar when compared to Michael Jackson’s death. Michael fits into a category open to only a few. He will be enshrined with the likes of Buddy Holly, Elvis, and John Lennon. They all play the part of change, and innovation in our cultural fabric. They do deserve our gratitude for the enjoyment we shared in their music. They deserve the rewards, and awards, that have come to them for being on top of their craft. However, that is where it should end, after all, they are just people.

I will be joined by a few people who will always remember another death this week. The death of a friend, the death of a confidant, the death of a brother in Christ, the death of Dale Boulter. Dale never achieved greatness as the world views greatness. He never stood on the world stage, he never changed a generation with his music, but he did touch lives. I read these words from my wife Paula written to Dale’s daughter Emily on her FaceBook page.

I have lots of memories of your dad, but these three stand out. 1-He pulled Miranda’s very first tooth at a DC basketball game. 2-When we first moved to DC, we lived in the country, and when Kent was gone, I was afraid. Dale told me to call him, and he would be at the house in ten mintues. 3-When we moved from the country to town, your dad had LOTS of pickups and men to help us. They all showed up at the same time, and our stuff was moved into our new house in less than an hour!!! What an amazing man!!

Yes, Dale Boulter was an amazing man. He was always smiling, always helping, always careing. He loved to sing, play 42, and eat. Yes, dale loved to eat which made him a big man. Too big for his own good at times. The thing is he knew that, and he worked on it. You know, I think one of the many attributes that makes a person great is knowing they have flaws. He knew the only way he was perfect was through Christ Jesus. I will  always remember Dale because he was just an ordinary man, just like me. 

Dale’s passing will impact me much more than the death of Ed, Farrah, or Michael. I will truly miss Dale. I haven’t seen Dale for quite a while now, maybe a year, but during that year I have looked at my phone and read a text message from him. “Gobble, Gobble” was the Thanksgiving note. Ho-Ho-Ho came a few weeks later. I’ll miss that.

Just now, just as I wrote those last words, it came to me why Dale was so large a man. He needed that much room for his loved filled heart.

Father, please give Myrna, Jim, Emily, and the rest of the family comfort as they struggle with losing Dale. Please help them celebrate his victory. One more request Father, when I get there please include Dale in my welcoming party.

Till next time,

Grump  

This entry was posted on Friday, June 26th, 2009 at 10:16 am and is filed under Life Learned Lessons and Observations. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.