budamacdvcr
DIS Dad #737
- Joined
- Jul 12, 2011
OK Boys. I'm calling it. Week over. Everyone out. Tragically, and far too soon, for one of our own, it's the last call.
Those of us still standing at the bar, looking ruefully into our glasses are the ones that have the regrets. Mine is that I never told him what a great Dad I thought he was. I didn't know him well enough to know his circumstances, but to raise a daughter to realise her dreams and to mould her into the confident young woman she has become, as he would so often rightly brag about, is nothing short of exemplary, and a model we can all only try and live up to. Some guy somewhere someday will breathe a little easier, knowing he won't have to have a sit down with CJ about his daughter. He will however, know that he missed the opportunity to gain an incredible Father in law and a doting grandfather. Can you imagine the posts if that would have happened?
As Jeff rightly said, he was a huge part of our tiny corner of the internet. Every post he made had words of encouragement or support. I've only been on here for a while, but I never saw him have a cross word with anyone. Apart from correcting the foolish among us about the proper order of Monty Python films.
The Lady K reminded me this morning that a few months ago, if all of our Florida plans had panned out, I was due to meet him this week for a Marlins game. While I feel like I missed out on meeting him, I still regard him as a friend, and am grieving for him as such. That takes a lot of personality, to imbibe in someone 5000 miles away a huge sense of respect and affection via just your words in a faceless forum.
So as we say goodbye to our Brother, I suggest for this week we all virtually meet again at the Tambu lounge, the bar that I will always associate with CJ, and the one I will now always feel a small twang of sadness as I pass it, even at the happiest place on Earth, and raise a toast to CJ.
Last one standing has to take the middle stool at the bar home. Because let me tell ya, it's going to be impossible to fill.
All the very best chaps. To CJ.
Yeah, this was more Cj's home than FB. He tolerated it, but I dont think he was really a social media kind of guy. He just did it to keep up with the rest of us.
I didnt have a lot of interactions with Cj, but when I did it was personal and heartfelt. He always asked about the kid and wanted to know if everything was alright.I think Cj and I were connected in the fact that we were both single dads with daughters and doing our best to make a good example. He truly was a class act. Cj was a great guy and a great friend to all. Even if he didnt agree with you, he was still sensible and courteous. He will be greatly missed on the DIS and equally missed at the World. Sadly it just got a little Smaller. I think a bunch of us are going to wear Red today in honor of Cj.
Randall, thanks for taking the lead on keeping in touch with Andriana. Dont want to over burden her with so many people. I am sure everything is stressful. I really hop there is a way we can help. If not we can always do a fund raiser and just send her the money. Plane flights can be expensive.
Thanks for all the comments and memories guys, keep them coming.
Been rough still this morning reading all the great words and memories - great job Dan, Doc & Tek. Also great to see some of the “originals” that welcomed me to this great group come back to the DIS - sorry it’s for such a sad occasion. When I can get through typing a final thank you to CJ later I will but until then I’m gonna get off my a$$ to enjoy the 3 day guys weekend hanging with DS because that is what CJ would want me to do.Well, I'm not nearly the talented writer Dan is, but I'm going to try to write my thoughts through tear filled eyes...
I knew CJ through his trip reports. All of them had the theme of "nuts". Yes, he was nuts. Nuts about his daughter. Nuts about supporting her. Nuts about his lost wife. Nuts about having a good time, but still guiding and shaping his daughter into a fine young woman. Nuts about having a good time chatting/debating/bantering with us. Nuts about life!
I remember asking him one time if he was going to finish his last TR, because I enjoyed them so much. He said he was having problems with his computer and possibly had lost some pictures and it took a lot of time. I told him I'm an IT guy and if he wanted, I would do everything I could to recover stuff from his hard drive because I wanted to help him. Not due to my selfish desire to have him finish his TR, but rather because he was the type of guy I just wanted to help if I could...he was just that type of guy you felt was a friend even though you hardly knew each other. I've read a story about living your dash (if you haven't, just search the web, it's out there). CJ, although I never had the privilege of meeting him, lived his dash. I've also heard it said, you should ask yourself what is your legacy going to be. CJ's legacy is a fine young woman living her dream and a bunch of guys who may have never met him, but were influenced by the caliber of the man.
CJ - I rarely drink, but next time I'm at the world, I will have one in your honor. You will be sorely missed, brother.
Wear your red today - got on my “DaDisDad” Customer shirt my kids got me for Father’s Day
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