Friday 12 February 2010

My friend Bobby Johnston

I can't breathe, my mouth has gone dry; this isn't happening. My friend Bobby Johnston has passed away.

I, honestly can't think. Honestly I feel like this is a cruel joke. But no. Bobby is gone and I can't believe it.

I don't do eulogies, I feel that when you have met someone, shared part of their life and had them share yours, words can't express the loss and the hurt, certianly not in a blog (he was the first person at the lotties I told about my blog). I turned Bobby into my make believe Grandfather, the one I wish I had alive, sharing the allotment experience with me, having chats about nothing in particular and just smiling with eachother. I've never told anyone else that, but I did tell him, to his face. He saw me cry, he saw me laugh and he always had time for me, the real me, when I was down.

Bobby passed away on his plot.

He leaves behind a very very close knit family and a lovely wife, they will know doubt need to be at eachother sides to get through this. He also leaves behind a great many friends, a great many, as he was a great man. I am friends with Bobby's son Bill and his family and I dread even seeing them ~ if I am like this they must be, well I can't imagine how they must be.



I wrote about him here and countless other times, took photos galore but really none of that matters. My friend has died.

18 comments:

  1. So sorry to hear the news Carrie. It's lovely that he touched your life so meaningfully though - I think people never totally die when their legacy lives on like that in other people. Have a lovely holiday BTW - Lots of piccies on your return! Lauran xx

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  2. Ah Carrie, what can I say ? only that i'm sorry for the loss of your friend, and that I can truly say I know how you feel. My dear friend Jackie lost her fight with breast cancer and died a week ago, her funeral was last monday, and two weeks before that another dear friend who lived in Bangor,Northern Ireland, he died suddenly, so I really do understand. It will get better, just remember all the good times and give thanks that he crossed your path and became your friend.
    Take care, try not to let it bring you low.
    Maureen xx

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  3. It's sad when someone you knew like that passes away and I sympathise with the loss that you obviously feel.
    I'm sure that he'd like you to remember him with a smile when you're on the allotment! Flighty xx

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  4. Oh honey, I'm so sorry for your loss. I think it's good that you're writing about it. Writing has a way of lessening the pain. A little anyway. He looks like a wonderful person. Prayers to you and his family.

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  5. Its about getting the best out of friendship and treasure every minute of it..., and we will either go seperate ways and losing one another as time goes. My God bless each one of us... ~bangchik

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  6. I'm so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend. It must have been a shock for you, it sounds as though it was sudden if he was at the plot. In time though, you will be able to look back and remember the times you shared with a smile.

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  7. i'm so sorry carrie...i hope the good memories you have will help.

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  8. Carrie girl .. I am so sorry. Bobby sounds like a wonderful loving humorous man. Wasn't it wonderful that you met and became friends .. both of your lives changed a little but for so much towards the "good things" in life. It hurts so much when you lose a friend such as Bobby .. try to remember the happy times and your chats .. he wouldn't want you to make yourself sick with grief .. that doesn't sound like him at all .. he would want every one to talk about the good times shared with him.
    Take heart Carrie .. one day at a time.
    Joy

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  9. Oh Carrie, that's just awful, how sad :(

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  10. Oh Carrie! I'm so sorry you've lost a friend, my thoughts are with you. From that photo, I like him immediately (despite the Arsenal shirt!) he looks like a nice chap. But if your time is up and he died on his plot....what better way to go!

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  11. Deepest sympathy for your loss, Carrie. It's wonderful that you knew such a devoted gardener who gardened until his time here was done. I hope your good memories of him are a comfort.

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  12. Carrie, my condolences on the loss of your adopted grandfather. It's so sad to read your post -- yet it just affirms for me all over again what a miracle it is whenever we meet a kindred spirit, someone whose soul clicks with our own, and what a difference those relationships may make for us, their influence extending who knows how far into the future.... blessings to you as you grieve.

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  13. carrie, we have just heard tonight, and share your loss, we loved Bobby, our next door neighbour at our lottie, our girls will be devastated, Last time we were with him Holly was snuggled up in front of his wood burner refusing to come back out to us, saying she wanted to stay with Bobby and his fire instead.

    Bless you ,and bless all of us, we have lost a shining star at our lottie, all out love to Sheila and all the family

    Jo and Chris, and the girls.

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  14. So sorry Carrie. ((((Many hugs.)))) May you take comfort in the wonderful memories you have.

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  15. Carrie
    What a lovely tribute to such a caring man and clearly he was a good friend.

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  16. I am deeply sorry to hear of this loss Carrie. You will be in my thoughts and prayers during this very difficult time. May you be surrounded by comfort and love through the memories of your dear friend Bobby. xo

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  17. hello Carrie -- I came here via the indiefixx penpal post, and couldn't leave without posting because I feel sad for you that this good man you loved has gone. I've been there (my "adopted" grandmother passed just after she was back in from gardening -- she was 93) and I understand what a loss it must be. With the gift of time, despite the big gap, you 'll probably be able to remember the good memories without tears & feel a warm glow in your hear each time you work on your allotment.
    With sympathy from one of your Celt fellows across the pond (Brittany)

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