by Starr Rathburn

Created on: March 17, 2009   Last Updated: August 17, 2009

IN MEMORY OF NORMAN

"When God's ready for me, I'll go." - Norman Leonard

When I think of Norman, I think of his smile and the tenderness in his eyes. I don't actually remember meeting Norman: I can't even say when I started going to their house. When his daughter Laurie and I call each other "old friend," we mean it literally: Laurie's been my friend since first grade. I've been to their daughters' weddings and they came to mine. The Leonard family has always been a part of my life.

I've been blessed to have three father figures: my Dad, my father-in-law, and Norman. When I was a teen, I spent a lot of time at Alice and Norman's place, visiting Laurie. Being there helped me through those "angst-ridden" teenage years. It was my second home, because I felt comfortable and welcome there.

I'm so grateful Norman and Alice moved to Florida a few years after I did, because it gave my husband and me a chance to get closer to them. When the Leonards first moved to Florida, we hadn't seen each other for several years. My husband and I didn't get to see them as much as we wanted to, so it was always hard to leave to go home.

Just a few months ago, I was delighted when, as we talked about old times, Norman told me, "For a few years there, I thought we had four daughters." In the same way, it touched my heart when Alice said we'd tell the VA Hospital that I was one of their daughters so I could get in to see Norman there. I wanted to see him badly, to let him know that I loved him. These simple statements from Alice and Norman meant a lot to me because they affirmed the close connection I've always had with their family. And I was able to give him a hug - for what I was afraid would be the last time.

When he got out of the hospital, they stopped by so Norman could see our new home. He was so pleased when our little terrier, Kuma, jumped right into their van to say hello. Dogs always know when people like them, and Norman was definitely a dog lover. Kuma knew Alice from when she stayed with us last October. I think it made Norman happy that Kuma jumped up to visit him, too. This is when we had our last hug, the last chance to say "I love you." He could be kind of a gruff old guy, not really given to obvious sentiment. But I could see the love in his eyes.

Norman has gone home to Our Father in Heaven, so family and friends gathered to celebrate his life. He loved his family. He was proud of his girls. You could see that pride whenever he talked about them. He and Alice took good care of each other. I was proud to know him. He had a good life.

And Norman Leonard was a good man.

March 2009

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