There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of relief and wonder why you ever came into co

There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of relief and wonder why you ever came into contact with them. There are people who leave you and you breathe a sigh of remorse and wonder why they had to go away and leave a gaping hole.

I believe in God’s master plan in lives. He moves people in and out of each other's lives, and each leaves a mark on the other. You find that you are made up of all the bits and pieces of all who have ever touched your life, and you are more because of it, and you would be less if they had not touched you.
Taken From “Bits and Pieces”

I lost a friend and former neighbor last week and while it has been thirty-five years since we moved away, he and his wife will always hold a special place in our hearts. We built our home next to Isidore and Helga when we were twenty-four years old. We were barely married a year, and we were really rookies at owning a home. Isidore and Helga were older, more established, with two children Joe and Christina and willing to assist their young neighbors next door. We soon became good friends, joining them on their patio, with Isidore and Helga sharing stories of their life in Germany, his experiences as a worker for the Tribune and their roles as parents of two children. Isidore was a lover of the game of soccer, sharing stories of his playing on a town team back home in Germany. His love for the sport was contagious, and when Italy played Germany (1982) for the World Cup, I placed an Italian flag on my lot line across from his German flag. The age difference never served as a barrier to our friendship, and I learned a lot from him, especially how to be a good neighbor.

Now he is gone; I only visited him twice over the years, and my only contact was the updates from his son Joe, a business owner here in Darien. I have my regrets; why couldn’t I find more time, especially now at the end of his life to let him know the positive impact his friendship had on my life. Sometimes we take friendships for granted, a lesson we learn when we lose someone meaningful in our lives.

Today’s message is a sentimental one for me; it is about remembering those who have touched our lives and have found a place in our hearts. Thank you Isidore for your friendship and guidance, and for sharing all the life experiences that made you so important to your family and friends. You will be missed, my friend.