Don Leedy-Resting in Paradise

I remember the first time I met Don Leedy. 

I met his son Matt in college and Matt quickly became a close friend.  Matt was getting a car for college and so the big guns were brought in:  Mr. Don Leedy.

I looked forward to meeting him.  Matt had talked about him and it’s always interesting to see who played such a big role in developing the character of a friend.

Don didn’t disappoint. 

He was all gregarious, joyful energy from the start. He greeted me warmly.  The second we were all in the car together he was making jokes.  I don’t remember the jokes.  I remember the person.  So much light emanated from him.  He was contagious.  We were on our way to buy a car.  All I knew about car dealerships was that they were boring, and you’d have to haggle, and it would ultimately be a tiring nightmare of an experience.

I don’t think Don saw it that way.  I think he saw it as an opportunity to hang out with some new individual for the afternoon.  That poor car salesman didn’t know what he had walking through his door when Don Leedy came strolling in. 

Somehow, in a feat few can replicate, Don turned a day at a dealership into an adventure.  He was shaking hands, patting backs, joking with people he hadn’t known 5 minutes earlier.

Me, I’d driven with Matt and Don to the dealership, so I was family at that point.  Don talked to me like we had inside jokes going back 10 years.

That’s who Don was.  He was a spark of energy.  He was quick to laugh.  He was a joy to be around. 

I had few interactions with Don, but all were memorable.

He united people.  He brought people together.  He was an example of love and care that you had to admire.

I feel lucky to have gotten to know Don Leedy.  When someone bright leaves, it feels like the world gets darker.  I like to think about it another way.  In heaven, where Don is now, I believe he truly does emanate light.  Real light.  He is glowing and providing love.  It’s like he’s back at the dealership with a whole new group of people that are lucky to be where he is now.  He’s patting backs, cracking jokes, and making everyone feel like they’ve been a friend for eternity. 

When someone like Don leaves, it’s up to us to replace that light.  It’s a beautiful opportunity to look at a life well lived.  It’s an opportunity to take all the joy he possessed and let that joy be a part of you.  We have to make up the difference.  We have to be the light Don used to provide.  We can be better, because Don would want it that way.  He would want us all to laugh and cry and remember him fondly, not sadly.

I know this is a hard viewpoint to take for Don’s family who is missing someone so special.  I know the tears will flow freely for the Leedy family.  Let them flow.  But limit the cloud that hangs over you, limit that sad feeling.  Remember that Don is watching.  Remember when the grief feels overwhelming that he’s still with you and he’ll provide that light straight to your heart so you can be a source for our world, as he is a source of light where he is now.

Remember the good.  Remember the laughs.  Remember the silliness.  Remember the kindness.  Remember the joy, the friendliness, and the love.  Remember what Don wants more than anything for his beloved family now: peace and happiness.  He will see you again.  I know that.  Take comfort in that.

When you get to reunite with someone like Don, that will be something you’ll never forget.  He will hug you.  He will laugh with you.  He may jump up and down with excitement at all he wants to tell you about what he’s been up to.  You will have your father, husband, friend back.  You’ll remember you missed him briefly, but now you have him for eternity.

Look forward to that day.  In the meantime, let’s make Don proud.