On a sad note

Today I had to say goodbye to a friend of 35yrs, he was not into woodwork or metalwork, he never had a job. He lived with his Mum (died 3yrs ago) and Dad, wonderful people, they took me away on holidays when I was a kid and jokingly called me "thier adopted son". Raymond (only his Mum called him this), "Ray" to his mates was 48yrs old and was mentally handicapped, suffered from Epilepsy a cruel disorder, and frightening to see. He was teased and picked on relentlessly as a kid and just needed to "belong and fit in", I would like to think in some way I made him feel this way as we where great mates in our younger years although in the last 10yrs grew slightly apart in our circle of friends we still saw each other from time to time and chatted over "the old days". Nobody here would ever get to know him as he could not read nor write and did not have the capacity to use a computer, he was and will always be my mate and I am sure if you all met him would like him, I am writing this thread because I always would introduce him as an equal and friend, sadly this will never be, so the best I can do is tell you a little about him. If you know of anyone like Ray, take the time to get to know them, you'll be suprised what they can teach you about yourself, Ray taught me a lot and I thank him for that. He is at peace now and sadly missed by all who knew him, I have shed a tear for him today and will again.
A mate lost, goodbye Ray.
savage(Eric):(

You pulled a couple of heart strings with that post Eric.

I feel for you and for him.

Please accept my condolences.

Life goes on.

Thanks Gumby much apprieciated:)

savage(Eric)

you should feel good about Ray & yourself, Eric, someone exceptionally special has been in your life for a long time, the rest of us should be so lucky.

Thanks Bruce, a lesson in life!:)

Thanks for sharing a personal story Savage. It must have been tough to write.

I'm sure many people meet Ray during his life, but only a handfull could appreciated what he had to offer. Luckily you were one of them.

Eric,

Many people go through life looking for friendship like yours and Rays, many go through life thinking that they have that friendship only to find it was just an illusion, and a few go through life experiencing it just like you.

I only wish the rest of the world could experience what you guys had and maybe just maybe we would all see life differently.

my thoughts and prayers are with you both and remember Ray will always be with you while you have him in your heart.

Andrew

Sorry to hear your news. We don't often get to have many friends in a lifetime but it is sad that someone like Ray would have had less chance of sharing a friendship because of his misfortune to be born with his burdens.

The lower half of your post was a bit blurry for me.

Sad :(

Knucklehead, Andrew, Woodborer and Wongo, Thanks for your thoughts and the time for the replies, much appreciatedsavage(Eric):)

Lost for words.
Deepest condolences.

Sorry to hear of your loss Eric

My condolences Eric.

Losing a mate can be very hard but trying to replace him/her is harder.

Let your memory of him live on & remember him often.

Eric, you are a credit to yourself and your parents.
You made me teary. Don't know what else to say, but take care mate

David, Alex, Majorpanick and Clinton, thankyou all for you thoughts.
A note, Ray will be layed to rest Thursday 11am.
savage(Eric):)