Sunday, September 29, 2013
Joe was very loving and so generous with me. We loved each other unconditionally. I loved his laugh, and I loved watching him as he stood out on the deck that Will made, just enjoying nature. He joked that he could set his watch to the train coming from and going to Kenosha. He talked about his kids and grandkids all the time. He never said a bad word about any of them, not even about his ex-wife, Judy. He loved God immensely. Every morning he read "Our Daily Bread", and then thought about what he'd read.
Joe was such a fun man. He was a crazy ballroom dancer and he loved to "dip" me. In fact, he never swore; his swear word was, "Dip!" The only time I saw him mad was when the Bears were losing.
When I lived in Winthrop Harbor I'd stop by his house on my way to work, every morning at 6am. He had a pot of coffee brewed, and he'd pour me a cup in this cool mug that had a big rainbow on it. He'd have the sugar, creamer, a spoon, and a napkin all ready set out for me. We talked about what we'd dreamt the night before. He'd get all excited about my stories of babies being born. His whole face would light up, and he'd say how precious children are, and how they are gifts from God.
Joe was very particular about how his laundry should be washed and dried. He never threw anything away. He had tons of tools in the basement that he rarely used. He had magnets and notes all over his refrigerator and by the phone. Many of them were outdated coupons, but he'd balk at my suggestion to throw them out. He had pictures of his family every where around his house.
He loved watching Danny, Andy, Charlie, and Erin playing outside in his yard. We stored a small 4 wheeler ATV at his house, and my kids would come to his farm yard and fly around the grass on the ATV. He told me that every time I came over, or my kids played in or outside his house, that God had sent us to him to breathe life into his day.
I will miss him immensely, but I know he's in Heaven, looking down at me, and still smiling. What a soul mate!
