There are so many things to say about Jerry and his effect on our lives that it is difficult to know where to begin.
Jerry was many things to many people.
For Genie and me, he was a dear adopted grandfather, protector and a great joker. He was a loving shoulder for me to cry on in times of need, and we have many, many delightful memories of his beaming smile and infectious laugh.
But perhaps the memory I will always hold closet to my heart is the relationship he had with a young lady named Emily.
Emily is my little cairn terrier. She and Jerry had a special love affair going on that was touching to see.
Whenever we were outside and Jerry was puttering around in the yard, as he loved to do, all I would have to do is point to him, look at Emily and say, "Who dat?" She would be off like a flash, tail wagging so hard I am amazed it never fell off. Once she reached him, she would wiggle and jump with glee and Jerry would rub her tummy and always say, "Are you being a good girl today? Well sure you are." Their eyes shining with delight and love for each other.
The last time I saw Jerry, I took Emily over for a visit and, while he wasn't in top form, you could spot the same living gleam when he laid eyes on his little canine granddaughter.
In two windows of our home, we have two beautiful stained-glass name plates of Emily and Sparky, our cat.
They will always be a monument to Jerry's artistry, creativity, but most of all, his gentleness.
I won't say goodbye, Jerry. Instead I will say, as we always did when we parted, "See Ya Later."
