Our Friend Jim

This picture was taken by Jim’s mother when he was a child. 

Over twenty years ago we were blessed with some wonderful new neighbors.  What we didn’t know then was that they would become lifelong friends. Jim owned a local tractor dealership and was loved and respected by everyone up and down our valley. He was raised in rural Maine and never forgot his humble beginnings.
We live in the country on twenty acres and at one time had a few cows and a couple of horses.  Our son learned to drive when he was 12.  He was always fascinated with the big tractors that Jim sold.  One day Jim brought one home on and took it to our lower pasture. Colin’s eyes were as big as saucers.  Jim claimed he brought it home to cut the weeds.  We all knew he brought the tractor home so Colin could drive it.  I can see them to this day sitting side by side in that big tractor.  Colin with a smile as big as the tractor he was riding in. Here is a picture of Jim and Colin on Colin’s 19th birthday. The mutual admiration is evident.

There wasn’t an important event in our lives where Jim wasn’t ever present.

When Jim retired he spent a lot of his time designing and building furniture, a lifelong passion  he didn’t have time to indulge until after retirement.  He  was particularly fascinated with designing and perfecting the perfect Adirondack chair to his wife’s chagrin.  When we purchased our house at the lake a few years ago, I couldn’t find an outdoor dining table that I liked.  I found a picture of a table that I wanted for our lower patio area.  I asked Jim if he would would like to make it.  All I did was provide a picture.  In about a week I had a beautiful table.

He also made this great coffee table.  We feel so fortunate to have this remembrance of Jim

Our daughter Jenna and Jim on her Wedding Day

Steve and his best friend in their younger years…

and on my 60th birthday

Jim was one in a million.  I can’t even begin to express how much he enriched the lives of our family. He has left a deep void. I hope all of you have been blessed with a friend like Jim, if so your lives are very rich.