Monday, April 20, 2015
John was my neighbour through most of my lifetime. Although I saw him less frequently when he moved from the farm.
A couple of years ago while passing a hay yard near the Vachon home yard, I noticed John sitting in a green tractor and eased up for a visit. Upon stopping I noticed John resting his head on his shoulder while he peacefully napped in the sunshine in his favourite surroundings. I putted on down the road knowing he had earned the rest.
Not too long ago we met again while John was looking for a deal on tires for his new Jeep. Fitting, because one of my early memories, is John bouncing across the prairie in his old Jeep filled with little boys.
I was not aware of John's health issues until his death. During the process of showing me his new Jeep we had a long lingering discussion about our family histories at our locations. Each time when It seemed we may be parting company over the course of a few minutes, John reached out and shook my hand respectfully and with grace. I guess he was saying goodbye.
