131 Comments
User's avatar
Drex Heikes's avatar

Hard to recall a better column, one so graceful, poignant and filled with insight. Please keep diving into the pool.

Matt L.'s avatar

Yup, the water is fine. Jean, so sorry for your loss. May Dick be blessed with Eternal Rest.

Charles A Roseberry's avatar

What they said. Just when we think we know your depth as a person, you change our perception once again. Bless you John, Charlie

The Real Rich's avatar

Unless you do something for others in your life, you've done nothing. You do so much for others, JC...

Dave Sullivan's avatar

@toddhamilton, are you being serious? If so, please stop stirring the pot...it appears, sadly, yours is empty.

Suzie's avatar

Todd H needs to smoke a big peace pipe...

Big John Caudill's avatar

That was beautiful. What a tribute to life. Keep it up John. Thank you.

Clyde Carrick's avatar

Wow! You remind your readers of the fragility of life and how quick it can disappear. Thank you for sharing.

Brandon Schornstein's avatar

Thanks for sharing John, I’m glad we were able to get to know Dick and Jean a bit. This reminds me of one of my favorite quotes:

“You cannot change yesterday, you have no idea what tomorrow holds, but you have RIGHT NOW. Make the very most of it!”

Tom Erickson's avatar

Another Forrest Gump moment. You never know what you're going to get when you open a John Canzano email. Nice work, John. Another happy subscriber.

John Barlow's avatar

One of my favorites as well, hands down. These life glimpses remind me of our shared humanity, which are so greatly needed in these times.

Mark Waldroop's avatar

Hi Mrs. Clark, I am another of John's readers. Your story touched me deeply!

My wife is in partial remission from stage 4 metastatic breast cancer--mostly in her brain. I am so sorry for your loss and for the short time between first symptoms and his passing. As you continue to read John's emails, you will find that he loves to share stories of his family, and of people he meets, or those who contact him with their own story of how he has been such an important part of their lives.

Eventually, you will know of Camp Exceptional, and his annual Bald Faced Truth auction.

My prayers go out to you and your family--that God gives you peace and tranquility. May his arms of love and grace wrap around you like a soft, warm blanket. Take care!!!

Andrew Manchester's avatar

Please tell Jean that readers give her hugs!

The fragility and lack of guaranteed tomorrows should color our actions more.

Bruce Mandel's avatar

Angels and heros com in all shapes, sizes and forms. When it taps you on the shoulder, embrace it. You never know when the reciprocal will be warrented.

Tim Bailey's avatar

Another great column. Thanks. Hey about some Blazer info now that football is over and Ducks and Beavers in a funk.

Keith Dickey's avatar

I subscribe for the sports but these are the stories I look forward to reading the most. Thanks John. Seems sometimes you are on a one man journalistic crusade to remind us we are all human. Keep it up.

MM's avatar

Real life. Even better than sports.

Kenneth  LaDue's avatar

Today's column is why we subscribe to your writing. Thanks, Mr. C.

jon joseph's avatar

❤️❤️❤️

You never know the hour or the day.

Louis Nevell's avatar

".....for at my back I always hear, Time's winged chariot hurrying near, and now all before us lie, deserts of vast eternity."

Andrew Marvell (To His Coy Mistress)

Charles Duncan's avatar

Great quote Louis. We all hear, or think we hear, that chariot more often than not.

Louis Nevell's avatar

"Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home..."