Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Empty Milk Crates

Ramone passed away yesterday. We will miss him terribly. I sure wish we would have had just a couple more years with him or even one more summer.


I loved looking outside to see Ramone working in the yard or talking to his 'kids' which is what he called his cows. "Here kids!" he'd call when he had a treat for them. Last summer he saved some pears in several five gallon buckets and would yell, "Bucket Kids, BUCKET!" and those darn cows would come running across the field to get a pear from him.


Many days I would look over to see him sitting on his milk crates waiting for the water tanks to be filled, that's when I had the best conversations with him. He told me about the families that had lived in my house and about the land around our homes and the railroad that used to run through his property. He told me about serving in the war and sailing with the Navy. He told me how he was the first Mexican American to graduate from the local high school. Ramone told great stories.

Ramone had a habit of leaving things in a certain place that seemed befitting. Those two tractors, empty, still, but in that one spot together they were just right. Now those milk crates will sit there empty and still, but in just the right spot to remind me of sweet Ramone.

61 comments:

Southern Gal said...

So sorry. Will be praying for his wife and all of you who will be missing him.

Renee

Anonymous said...

Oh no. I'm so sorry to hear of Ramone's passing. Our thoughts are with you and your family. Please give his wife (and his girls?) a big hug for us. It's come to feel like Ramone is our neighbor through your stories.

Anonymous said...

April, I'm so sorry to hear about Ramone. You've always painted such a lovely picture of him through your stories, that I'm crying like I actually knew him as well. Thanks for introducing him to us.

Unknown said...

Awww, April, I'm so sorry to hear of your friend's passing. I hope his wife is okay. Prayers and hugs from MI to you.

Gladys said...

I'm so sad. Well he will be watering the cows in heaven.

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

Oh I have been comming by for an update on the Ruggered yetsof faced old man you knew as Ramone.
I felt like I knew him and the string and things you posted on he repaired fences and things with.
May he rest in peace and Love and prayers to his wife and friend.

A Bite of Country Cupcakes said...

Above meant to read...
Ruggered yet soft faced man....

Anonymous said...

I'm a long-time lurker, never left a comment before, but this news made my heart sink. My sympathy to to Ramone's family, friends and neighbors. I will keep you all in my thoughts and prayers.

Anonymous said...

Such sad news.
I was pulling for him.
Sounds like he lived a rich and full life.
Our elders have the best stories.
My sympathies to his family and friends.

Kathy said...

I'm a long time lurker, too. Sorry to hear of Ramone's passing. I so wished he would have pulled thru. Hugs to his wife and family. I hope everything works out for them with the loss of Ramone.

Laura said...

I'm so sorry to hear of Ramone's passing and you and his family are in my thoughts. I know I didn't know him, but like Lori Anne, your post brought tears to my eyes.

Jen said...

Sad, Sad, news from the farm. My heart goes out to Ramone's friends and family. You are lucky to have known him. We are lucky to have heard of Ramone thru your Blog.

mom said...

My thoughts are with you and his fsamily.

Stephanie said...

My deepest sympathy for his family and also to you...
Loved your stories...Glad you have wonderful memories and all the stories to remember him by...

Linda said...

Oh April, I'm sorry to hear this sad news. You were very lucky to have Ramone as a neighbor. I will keep Virginia in my prayers.

FranP said...

oh, I'm so saddened to hear about Ramone's death. I'm so glad that you got to hear his stories. I know you will be a comfort to his wife.

Kristi said...

I am so sad to hear about your friend. What a wonderful friend and neighbor he was to you and your family. Hugs to you and to his family as well.

sue said...

So Sorry to hear this. I had hoped he'd be with you for a while yet. You and his family are in our thoughts and prayers.

Elizabeth said...

I offer my prayers to all that know and love Ramone at this difficult time.

Lisa said...

WHAT A BLESSING IT WAS FOR YOU AND YOUR FAMILY TO HAVE HIM FOR A NEIGHBOR.

WE WILL BE PRAYING

HUGS FROM MAINE

Anonymous said...

Oh... I am so sorry for y'all and especially for his wife. I know that you will be checking on her and making sure she is okay. I'm sure Ramone would appreciate that. How wonderful that you got to know him and he got to share his stories with you.

Anonymous said...

My condolences to you and his family. I enjoyed hearing about him.

Lindastamps

Jenni said...

I'm so sorry to hear about Ramone. It sounds like he had a long, full, and interesting life. I'm glad that you took the time to listen to his stories and share some with us.

Anonymous said...

I'm very sad :(

He really seems like he was such a sweet person!

I'm so sorry!

Jonna

Danielle said...

Oh. I am so very sorry. Thinking of your family and of his.

D

tea4too0 said...

Like the other folks, I was heart broken over the news. My condolences to you and his family. Terry

Rhea said...

Ramone will be missed. And remembered. :o)

jean said...

April I am so sorry. I don't even know the man yet I miss him. He was the last of his kind. My son is confused that I could be so saddened by Ramones death.

Brindi said...

What a nice tribute to him. So sorry to hear about him passing.

Darlene said...

I am so sorry to hear of the loss of this sweet man who touched so many thru you blog . He may have not known how many people loved reading about him and his wife but he will . God bless his family and yours with peace and knowledge of knowing many people are lifting you up in our prayers.

Jean Martha said...

I'm sorry. I fell in love with that cute little old man on your blog. Please give his wife an enormous hug for us all.

Melissa said...

April, so sorry for the loss of a wonderful neighbor and friend. Much love is going out to you guys and especially Virginia. She sounds like she's a terrific lady, but it sounds like she might really need your family in the coming months a bit more than the tough little thing will ever admit!

Anonymous said...

What a lovely tribute to your friend and neighbor. I hope you will print it out and give it to his wife.

Praying for Ramone and his family and you.

Psalm 121

Mrs. C

erinz said...

Such sad news! I am thinking of his family & yours.

grandmamargie said...

What a lovely tribute to a lovely little man. Please give my condolences to his wife/family/friends.

The Source said...

Awww..April, I'm sorry to hear that Ramone passed away. Sounds like he was the kind of neighbor we'd all like to have. I'm glad you got the chance to know him. We'll be praying for his family.

Tricia said...

Oh! I am so sorry. I have been thinking of him often. I know your heart must be hurting. My thoughts and prayers are with you and his wife. (HUG)

Suzanne said...

That's so sad. I love the old timers that can tell the deep history of the land, like peeling back the layers on a onion. His face tells it all. Make he rest in peace and stay in your heart.

- Suzanne, the Farmer's Wiofe

April said...

What a sad loss! Praying for his wife, family and friends.

Unknown said...

I echo the words and sentiments of so many here. I love that picture of Ramone, as it seems to capture so well your descriptions and stories. He was and is well loved. Will be praying for Ramone and all who loved him.

Lisa S. said...

Sorry to hear of Ramone's passing. Please extend our prayers and condolences to his family - and we also send them to you and your family.

My husband's grandfather just passed away on the 19th and the funeral was this past Saturday.

Hugs to you.

Janelle said...

I cannot fully express the grief I feel after reading this. His family and yours are in our prayers.

http://blessednationranch.blogspot.com

Trisha said...

God Bless Ramone.

Unknown said...

I don't leave comments, but your blog is a part of my day - everyday - along with all of the wonderful characters in your life. I've been dreading to read this sad news - felt like I knew it was coming. Such a sad day. I'm sorry for you and his family.

Woolysheep said...

I send my condolences to ya'll and especial to Ramone's wife. God bless.

Sandy said...

Oh, so sad. I wonder if he knew how "famous" he'd become on your blog. Blessings to his wife, his family and friends. Even the poor cows will miss their Ramone.

Donna Boucher said...

I'm sorry to hear your sad news.

May his family find comfort.

Anonymous said...

I am so sorry for your family and for Ramone's.
My girls and I will pray for his family and for all who will miss him deeply.

Anonymous said...

I know there will be such a hole in your heart where he had a special place. I have tears in my eyes as if I knew him too.

My sweet buddy neighbor who was 87 passed away two years ago and I still miss sitting with her on her porch (although she was a little dingy that last year, she always welcomed me and laughed with me).

So sorry April.

Hugs to you Kathy b

Brad, Lauri & Ethan Bernet said...

I am so very sorry to hear this news. Praying for family and friends-:)

Pappa Rooster said...

this makes me so sad, i was really rooting for him.
oddly enough i felt like i knew him

ingasmile said...

I am so sorry to hear this news. I will be thinking of you and your family and Ramone's family also.

Anonymous said...

So sorry to hear this news. I gasp when I read it and my husband asked, What's wrong? I told him Ramone died and he looked at he like he didn't know me. I hope Ramone is celebrating in heaven today. Will include his wife and family and your family in our prayers tonight at church.

Carla said...

So sorry to hear about the loss of your neighbor and friend. I know he will be missed.

Anonymous said...

God Speed Ramone.

Leila said...

God rest his soul.

Robbyn said...

Oh, I'm so sad Ramone's gone... :(

Egghead said...

April this is lovely. What a great remembrance of an sweet soul. I love the cow pear story and am so sorry to hear of his passing.

Sally-Ann said...

How sad! My thoughts and prayers are with Ramone's family and friends. What a wonderful gentleman.

Don and Dawn said...

April, I started reading your post on the day you and the cows were sad, and just now was checking in...your tribute to Ramone is so moving, I feel like I know him. His family is blessed having him for a husband and father. I'm so glad you were able to know him, but saddened by his passing. Thoughts and prayers to his family and yours.
Dawn

Anonymous said...

I'm so sorry to read about Ramone. What a wonderful man. Thank you for sharing him with us.
midwestmom