JJ Loses a Friend

Gene is one of the group of retired black men who walk at 6:30 a.m. each weekday morning at the Greenway. JJ and I are not that ambitious, so we usually see Gene and his friends in the parking lot as they drink water and finish their conversations.

We had seen Gene a couple of weeks ago. He had been sick and had lost about 30 pounds. He told me that he had found a lawyer who helped him get his affairs in order. He asked me if I needed the person's card. I have seen him, though I don't know his name. The lawyer walks with his giant, beautiful white Husky on the weekends. Gene often walks with him on Saturdays.

Gene is one of the kindest people I have ever met. He immediately welcomed JJ and me into the morning walking community. He calls JJ "The Inspector" and always speaks to us. Every six weeks or so, he opens up his truck and fills up a little bag with dog treats for JJ. Sometimes I get back from the walk and the bag is tucked into my car door handle.

I remember the morning last fall when there was an unusually early cold snap. Gene was hanging out in the parking lot handing out gloves to people who might need them.

This morning, I asked Gene's group of walkers where he was. They told me that he had passed away last Tuesday. They laughed that JJ would have to find another source for dog treats.

We walked the greenway path today in celebration of our friend, Gene, who walked on this earth in a spirit of kindness and generosity. I'm so grateful that I got to walk on this earth with him.