Arrived safely and already sweltering. Waiting for the next batch of family to flow in this afternoon and evening.
Trudy asked to clarify that Orange Grove is the turn off on the left after Johnson and Johnson (past Marketing & Distribution) when you turn off the highway follow the road and it is the big green building.
We will likely be back at the house anytime around noon, so pack up those coolers and head on over to laugh, cry, eat, drink and be merry in celebration of one of the most remarkable humans we all loved.
He may not be here to sing along around the fire, but his spirit will be in every note, flame and smile.
Tracy you are Trudy the best (please excuse the spelling was never much good at it) the Fireplace song brought a smile and laughter to me, this was Jim as I will always remember him, twice a boy at heart. Heaven has one hell of a Great Jim to fill their days with the best of Jims shenanigans, ant that the truth.
Dear Kareen, Trudy & Tracy,
I would like to say that our thoughts are very much with you at this very sad time.
We will miss Jim. We have been so very fortunate to have known him, and would love to be able to pay our respects to such an extraordinary man. Tracy and Trudy – we have not had the pleasure of meeting and hopefully we will on Saturday. Its no wonder as to your awesomeness – the descriptive updates, that made us feel we were in the hospital room with him, and the care and love you both showed to your mother is truly remarkable. Jim has surely left his mark on this earth.
We will never forget him, and hopefully with time and the beautiful memories you have of dear Jim, the pain will be easier to bear.
Love always,
Rolph, Ave, Adam & Sarah
Tomorrow being the celebration of Jim and a life very worth celebrating. Jim was such a great friend to many and will be sadly missed. Many a glass will be raised at Esperanza Alta and we were forunate enough to raise many there. Sadly unable to be there tomorrow but our thoughts are with you all.
The firing of the canon, may it stay a tradition (as frightening as it was). That was Jim.
RIP JIM x
See you tomorrow, my carriage is arriving for me at 8:45.
Love you all
that fireplace song was just the best…can’t believe we have lost someone that loved life so much as was so much fun….but he is now lighting a fireplace in heaven…how lucky they all are….RIP Jimbo….
I am so pleased that through the power of the internet, and your tireless updates Tracey and Trudy, that we are still able to have a smidgen of the wonderful character that was Jim. They definitely broke the mould when they made him!
We too have shed many tears, for him, and all of you left behind. The sudden unexpected loss is what’s hardest to bear. I don’t know how you have continued to post through such adversity Tracey, you are very brave and must have more of your old man in you than you realise! (despite all your tears).
We would love to be there with you today, to get insanely drunk, reminisce and raise a Pina Colada to lovely Jim, I know it’s going to be one hell of a party! He’ll be up there (he’s surely gone to heaven right?), looking down and be proud to have made this amazing family and touched so many hearts. We will have our turn in the summer with Lorna, and the other incredible human that is affectionately known to us as Kiwi, your mum Kareen.
Jon is taking Leo and Ed to church parade at St Marys in Bitton (Bristol) on Sunday, where Jim grew up, and is asking for Jim to be remembered. He said Jim told me he used to cut the grass with a mower as a boy to earn some pocket money. He said he used to bump into the grave stones and say ‘Sorry you old bugger’ then wondered why he was talking to the dead! A book could be written with all Jims brilliant anecdotes, what a wonderful legacy.
Before Facebook came along we used to email!
Jims to me were so funny and sometimes poignant that he had his very own folder! With the advent of email on our phones I hadn’t seen it for a while until I was looking for photos of him on my PC. This one that he sent me in Dec 2009 seems particularly apt in the circumstances….
Goodnight and god bless Jim, we loved you, you’ll be sadly missed x
https://dub125.mail.live.com/default.aspx?n=1484378861&fid=1&cid=13376d6d-2481-e3b5-7a9b-dc4e3182be26&fv=1#!/mail/ViewOfficePreview.aspx?messageid=9afa0733-7ef5-11e3-ae08-002264c20738&folderid=00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000001&attindex=0&cp=-1&attdepth=0&n=447014532
Life is good because the memory of Jim lives in my heart. I may not remember the day but the moments are there. What a wonderful person,husband, father, grandfather and friend. Life is good because of HIM.